Some of Russia’s highest-profile counterterrorism operations are being dramatized in a new television show produced with input from FSB officers, who advised its creators on real cases and operational details. The 16-part series ‘Pros’ was previewed behind closed doors at an FSB cultural center in Moscow on Tuesday by veterans and serving officers, some of whose identities remain classified. REN TV chief and general producer Vladimir Tyulin explained what prompted the project.
“The country needs heroes, children need heroes they can rely on,” he said. The series follows a fictional team of seven FSB special forces officers through cases based on real events, including the 2009 bombing of the Moscow-St. Petersburg Nevsky Express train, the 2011 attack on Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport and counterterrorism operations in the North Caucasus, Izvestia reported on Tuesday.
Security personnel served as consultants during production, helping the writers incorporate operational details previously known only to those directly involved. One episode focused on the operation against Doku Umarov, the terrorist leader who claimed responsibility for the terrorist attacks. These included the Domodedovo bombing, which killed 37 people, and the 2010 Moscow Metro bombing, which killed 40. Tyulin said the actors underwent special training before filming, learning to use tactical gear and move as a unit.
Sergey Shavrin, a decorated Hero of Russia and veteran of the FSB’s Vympel special unit, praised the authenticity of the series, including its portrayal of officers keeping the truth of their work from their families. Terrorism researcher at the Moscow State Institute of SMmirgh) on the series. “The film is simply magnificent, it keeps you in suspense,” he said. “And most importantly, the real work is shown authentically.” ‘Pros’ will air on REN TV on October 18.