Putin calls for ‘cleansing’ of Russia, free from ‘scum and traitors’ in threatening message [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared in a Twitter video on Wednesday saying that Russia must undergo a “self-cleansing of society.” 
• Putin said Russia should get rid of “scum and traitors,” likening them to flies.
• He is pertaining to Russians who do not support the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a chilling message on Wednesday, saying that Russia should undergo a “self-cleansing of society.” He said this is “necessary” to get rid of the “scum and traitors” as thousands of Russians tried to flee the country amid its invasion of Ukraine. 

“The collective West is attempting to splinter our society, speculating on military losses, on socioeconomic effects of sanctions, in order to provoke a people’s rebellion in Russia,” Putin said in a video address shared on Twitter.

“But any people, the Russian people, especially, are able to distinguish true patriots from bastards and traitors and will spit them out,” referring to those who did not support the Kremlin.

“I am certain that this necessary and natural self-cleansing of society will only strengthen our country, our solidarity, togetherness, and our readiness to answer any calls to action,” Putin said.

Putin noted he was not “judging those with villas in Miami or the French Riviera” or those “who cannot live without foie gras and mussels or so-called gender-based rights” as long as they were “mentally” with Russia.

“The problem does not lie in this, but I repeat, the fact that many of these people inherently, mentally, live elsewhere and not here with us, with our people, with Russia,” Putin said.

“This is, in their opinion … a belonging to the higher caste, the higher race,” he said. 

Thousands of Russians are attempting to escape the country. Since February 24, Russian forces have shelled several Ukrainian cities, even residential buildings and hospitals.

Some Russians who fled said they fear martial law and border closures will be implemented.

Some voiced the fear of being detained for opposing views of the war. A new law has been passed that makes it illegal to spread false information about the Russian military, call for the end of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, or support sanctions against Russia. 

Since the invasion started, nearly 15,000 people across Russia have been detained for protesting against the Russian government.

Source: Insider