Easier to suppress opposition that way.
Via Daily Caller:
In an apparent attempt to further consolidate power, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his plan to create a Russian “National Guard” that will take over the duties of several other security agencies, potentially upsetting the precarious balance of power in the Russian security apparatus.
The new force will be comprised of personnel in the Russian interior ministry and headed by Putin confidant and former bodyguard Viktor Zolotov, who will report directly to the Russian president. The announcement came Tuesday after Putin held a meeting with several security officials.