Thursday02 January 2025
smiua.net

British intelligence explained the Kremlin's overt repression of the Russian population.

The Russian authorities have intensified their repression against dissenting citizens. Prior to the war with Ukraine, they employed more lenient approaches.
Британская разведка объяснила жесткие репрессии Кремля против граждан России.

The Russian authorities have intensified repression against dissenting residents of Russia. Prior to the war against Ukraine, they resorted to milder methods.

This is reported by RBK-Ukraine, citing the UK Ministry of Defence on X (Twitter).

According to the report, based on data from Russian independent media, the number of convictions for treason in Russia is at its highest level in at least 9 years.

Moreover, in the first 6 months of 2024, there were more sentences issued than in all of 2023, according to the Russian Ministry of Justice.

Similarly, there has been a significant increase in convictions for criminal offenses related to extremism, terrorism, and "disinformation."

British intelligence indicates that the information about the convictions illustrates the growing reliance of the Russian government on coercive and demonstrative methods of control to maintain dominance over segments of the population that are hostile to the regime.

"Before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the regime typically preferred more subtle ways to control dissent," the UK Ministry of Defence notes.

Support for the War Among Residents of Russia

It is important to remember that Russia has been conducting a full-scale war against Ukraine since February 21, 2022. The war is supported by an overwhelming majority of the residents of Russia. According to the "Levada Center," 75% of respondents approve of the war.

As Ivan Preobrazhensky, a Russian political analyst in opposition, mentioned in an interview with RBK-Ukraine, about 15% categorically do not support the war, with some of them having moved abroad.

Among the opponents of the war are young people who realize that their future in Russia will resemble the daily life in North Korea if the country continues on this path. Smaller groups of the population also do not support the invasion.