Russia’s Federal Security Service (the FSB) is facing layoffs in its regional offices. According to the news website Fontanka.ru, the first to lose their jobs will be the FSB’s “civilian staff” in the agency’s financial and administrative divisions. Most likely, the cutbacks will affect part-time employees working on special freelance contracts.

The FSB has also decided not to replace retiring staff in its operating units with new hires.

Exactly what percentage of the FSB’s staff will be laid off remains unknown. So far, the agency hasn’t officially commented on the matter.

Media reports on February 6 revealed that the Interior Ministry has ceased all new hiring as part of a new cost-minimization effort. Officials say they’ve stopped hiring so they can reduce the number of vacant positions, rather than current employees, should cutbacks become necessary.