Putin's warning to anti-war Russians evokes Stalinist purges

The Kremlin doubled down Thursday on recent statements by President Vladimir Putin that Russian society would benefit from what he called a "cleansing" of "scum and traitors" who align with the West in its criticism of the war in Ukraine. The reference evoked terrifying memories of the mass arrests of the Stalin era — when repressions were justified for "cleansing" Soviet society of traitors — and it followed new laws criminalizing criticism of what the Kremlin calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Russia has seen an exodus of political activists, journalists, celebrities and entrepreneurs critical of the war or fearing its consequences. In comments on Wednesday, Putin lashed out at Russians who — the Kremlin leader argued — were "mentally" aligned with the West amid the Ukraine crisis. Putin said their true aim is to work with "the collective West" to destroy Russia from within.

"The Russian people will always be able to distinguish true patriots from scum and traitors and simply spit them out like a gnat that accidentally flew into their mouths," Putin said. "I am convinced that such a natural and necessary cleansing of society will only strengthen our country, our solidarity, cohesion and readiness to respond to any challenges," he said in remarks that more broadly addressed Russia's efforts to counteract Western sanctions. On Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov tried to clarify Putin's comments, saying they were directed against Russians who had, in one way or another, left the country in a moment of need. "In such difficult times ... many people show their true colors. Very many people are showing themselves, as we say in Russian, to be traitors," Peskov said in a call with journalists. "They vanish from our lives themselves," he added, noting, "Some people are leaving their posts. Some are leaving their active work life. Some leave the country and move to other countries. That is how this cleansing happens."