The Russian president has said that “malicious” are increasingly trying to destabilize Russia. “This must absolutely be prevented,” he said at a meeting of his Security Council.
“We must do everything we can to ensure that this is not allowed under any circumstances,” Vladimir Putin urged members of his cabinet.
In many ways his rhetoric sounded familiar. Again he appealed to the Russian narrative that the war is connected with fighting for the survival of Russia. According to the Kremlin, the country is facing an existential threat from the West.
Since Russia sent tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine in February 2022, the Russian government has stepped up its crackdown on dissenters and pushed the rest of the beleaguered liberal opposition abroad.
But Putin also made the remarks in the wake of two attacks in Russia’s border regions of Belgorod and Bryansk claimed by the “Freedom for Russia Legion” and the “Russian Volunteer Corps” – appearing to open a new front. And that causes great unrest among the Russian regime and the population.
LOOK. Legion calls on Russians to fight for a free Russia
The unrest in the Russian border regions may be used by the Kremlin, the British Ministry of Defense previously reported.
Russia could use the chaos to promote a narrative in which the country as a whole is in danger. Earlier incidents were also used by the Kremlin to paint the picture that Russia would be the victim of the war.
Experts after attacks by far-right volunteers in Russia: “This is a clear Ukrainian middle finger” (+)
And suddenly the front line is twice as long for the Russians (+)
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