Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the death members of Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) have suffered in the war in Ukraine and prompted the company to step up its counterintelligence activities in a speech to an expanded FSB board conference in Moscow on Tuesday.

I want to thank the management and all staff members of the firm, especially those who worked on the frontlines: in the liberated areas, in the zone around the frontlines and behind enemy lines, Putin said.

Unfortunately, dear comrades, all of us understand that there have been losses in our ranks, he added, without specifying the specific variety of those eliminated in the war to date.

Putin stressed that consolidating the FSBs functional and workers possible in areas of Ukraine presently occupied by Russian forces ought to be among the agencys leading concerns for the coming year.

It is vital to work with the people, to assist them in tight spots.

The trust of the homeowners of Donbas and Novorossiya is a key source of assistance for us all, Putin said.The Russian president also urged the FSB to step up its counterintelligence efforts in light of what he called the increased efforts of Western intelligence agencies.

Western intelligence services ...

have actually allocated extra personnel, technical and other resources versus us, Putin stated.

We require to react appropriately.

Noting the companys cybersecurity and counterterrorism efforts were essential for combating the danger from the West, Putin advised Russian security authorities to determine and stop the unlawful activities of those working to destabilize and break up Russia from the inside.

Separatism, nationalism, neo-Nazism and xenophobia ...

have constantly been used versus our country and now, obviously, the efforts to trigger all that scum on our land are more active than ever, said Putin.