The FCS concert hall marked the 30th anniversary of the All-Russian Union of Customs Service Veterans (VSVTs): chair Alexander Mashkovtsev presented commemorative badges to the service leadership. Source: FCS Russia.
Mashkovtsev congratulated customs on the service jubilee and recalled that the Union was founded on 18 October 1996 after 374 veterans appealed to Vitaly Boyarov, its first chair and a symbol of continuity within the customs community.
The Union now includes about 11,500 members in 116 primary branches and regional councils, with membership growing each year. Its work spans targeted social support, youth patriotism programmes, museum and memorial projects, sports and wellness events, and mentoring for new officers.
Mashkovtsev said veterans remain allies of active staff. Pikalyov thanked them for setting an example of dedication and argued that intergenerational ties will sustain the service for decades.
The programme ended with the documentary “FCS Russia — Pages of History”, timed to the service’s 35th anniversary and the Union’s 30th: archive and current footage plus veterans’ accounts of how Russian customs evolved.
