Russia starts repressing pro-war nationalists, Ukrainian official says
Photo: Russian nationalists (Getty Images)
Russia has launched a campaign against loyal nationalists who had previously been active supporters of the war against Ukraine, said Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council.
According to him, the purge of radical nationalists was initiated by the First Deputy Chief of Staff of Putin’s Administration, Sergey Kiriyenko.
Kovalenko explained that Kiriyenko is responsible for information operations against Ukraine and is attempting to take full control over Russia’s regional power structures.
"He is preparing an attack on the Russian Community movement - one of the few ultra-right groups that supported the war. This is not an isolated case," said the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation.
At the same time, the Russian Supreme Court has ruled to dissolve Sergey Baburin’s party, which for a long time played the role of the right wing of imperial ideology.
Kovalenko stressed that even loyalty is no longer enough - the Kremlin demands total obedience. Any initiative, even within the framework of the so-called Russian World, is seen as a threat.
"It’s telling that the attacks are happening now: the regime is preparing for turbulence. After the failed special military operation, the so-called patriots of Russia may return from the front with new ambitions, and that is a direct threat to the power vertical," the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation explained.
According to him, the situation shows the Kremlin’s fear of losing control even over its most radical supporters, which is why "the Kremlin is devouring its own."
Russian leader Vladimir Putin recently expanded the powers of the FSB. Foreign ships can now enter Russian ports only with the approval of the security service.
