The Russian Interior Ministry announced today that more than 8500 police and security officers will be on duty every day at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow guarding the Olypmpiisky Arena, official hotels and the fans and delegations.

"Over 5,000 officers of law enforcement agencies and about 3,000 security guards from private security firms will be involved in maintaining public order and security every day," said Major General Nikolai Trifonov, the deputy chief of the ministry's public security department. They will guard the 11 designated hotels assigned for the competition and the area surrounding the Olympiisky Sports Complex.

"We don't expect any terrorist attacks, but we do not rule out the possibility of unsanctioned protests," he said, adding that the Eurovision Song Contest would coincide with the May 1 Spring and LabourDay and the May 9th Victory Day public holidays. A planed Gay Pride march is also scheduled for the day of the Eurovision Song Contest however it has not been permitted by the government.