Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a speech this week in which he said that all Russians opposing the ongoing war in Ukraine are “traitors.”
The speech marks a significant change in tone for the Russian leader, and experts say that it is a sign that not everything is going to plan.
Putin is using now a strategy of intimidation in order to keep his people on his side, according to experts. The speech warned those who did not side with him will be labeled as traitors. Putin said that the West will try to rely on the “so-called fifth column, on national traitors,” he said. This terminology of “fifth column” typically refers to sympathizers of the enemy during wars.
Putin said that people who are “mentally located there, and not here,” are not with Russia. He continued that Russian people will always be able to distinguish the “true patriots” from “scum and traitors.” He said that Russian people will “simply spit them out like a gnat” onto the pavement when they identify scum and traitors.
Some experts worry though that the change in tone and the hardening stance means that if there is a setback in Ukraine, Russia may take a vengeful turn in his own homeland, and crack down more forcefully against any signs of dissent or protest.
The rhetoric that Russian people should spit out “scum” and squash them on the pavement is especially visual, experts said, and show the lengths Russia may be willing to go to in order to squash any dissent.
There are mixed levels of support and protest in Russia in reference to the war in Ukraine. Many are protesting in the streets, completely aware that heavily armed police will be deployed to round them up even for peaceful demonstrations.
Russian authorities have made mass protests illegal. Also against the law is insulting the military.
But still, some people continue to protest, whether in groups or alone.
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