Vladimir Putin delivered an out-of-control speech to the Russian people and the West on Wednesday.
The Russian president spoke of “traitors and bastards” while referring to “self-purification of society”, as thousands of citizens have fled the country for fear of mobilization or a severe economic crisis in Russia.
Strict warning
In his speech, as reported by the website Business Insider, he argued that Russia should undergo “self-purification of society” to get rid of “bastards and traitors.”
Putin said the West was trying to divide Russia and provoke civil strife with the help of its “fifth phalanx.” “And there is a goal, the destruction of Russia,” he said, adding that Russia would repel such efforts.
“I am convinced that this natural and necessary self-purification of society will only strengthen our country, our solidarity, our cohesion and our readiness to face any challenge.”
As he stressed, every people, especially the Russian one, “is able to distinguish true patriots from bastards and traitors and will spit on them”.
The tone of the statements was unprecedented even for Putin, who for years has been stifling domestic opponents and launching anti-Western rhetoric.
Following the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the expression of dissent in Russia has become even more dangerous. A law passed on March 4 outlaws public actions aimed at “discrediting” the Russian military and banning the dissemination of false news or the “deliberate dissemination of false information about the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.”
Thousands have been arrested in protest of what Russia calls a special military operation to demilitarize and “demilitarize” its neighbor. Several leading independent media organizations have suspended their operations.
Ominous words from Putin about a “natural and necessary cleansing of the nation” to “spit out like flies” all representatives of a fifth column and “traitors” who do not back the Kremlin line. No wonder thousands are leaving the country in fear. pic.twitter.com/66LGpo12p3
– Matthew Luxmoore (@mjluxmoore) March 16, 2022
businessinsider
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