Putin could revive the KGB intelligence agency.

Putin is reportedly planning to revive the once-famous Soviet-era intelligence agency by establishing a Ministry of State Security.

Putin is reportedly planning to "revive" the infamous Soviet-era KGB intelligence agency. (Illustrative image: Sputnik)

President Putin plans to create a Ministry of State Security in preparation for the 2018 Russian presidential election, the Daily Star reported today, citing a source from the Russian Federal Security Service.

A victory in 2018 would allow Putin to remain in power at least until 2024. The Ministry of State Security (MGB) would have representation across all Russian police and security agencies. The new unit could be formed from the Federal Security Service, the Foreign Intelligence Service, and the Federal Protective Service, with increased powers.

Western media outlets claim that the MGB even monitors critics of Putin."Previously, our agents only assisted in investigations, but now they will manage the process from the initial criminal accusation to the trial," a source from the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said.

The source added that FSB agents would be responsible for investigating any information provided by the MGB. Sergei Goncharov, a member of Russia's Alpha counter-terrorism special forces unit, described the MGB as a "powerful punch."

News of the KGB's revival comes after Putin's United Russia party won the lower house election (Russian State Duma) with more than 50% of the vote on September 19. Russian President Putin was the leader of the United Russia party from 2008 to 2012. His successor is Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

According to VNE