The very system built on unwavering loyalty is now devouring its own. For years, figures like pro-Kremlin pundits, zealous military bloggers, and even Ukrainian-born commentators for state-controlled media have thrived in Putin's Russia, basking in the rewards of their fervent support for the war in Ukraine. But now, the tables have turned. These individuals, once celebrated by the regime, are finding themselves targeted by the very state they championed.
Sergei Markov and Roman Alyokhin, both staunch supporters, have been labeled as "foreign agents," a designation previously reserved for anti-Putin voices. This carries a heavy burden, forcing them to publicly identify as such and facing crippling financial restrictions. Tatyana Montyan, another vocal supporter, has been branded a "terrorist and extremist," a label typically reserved for the Kremlin's most dangerous enemies.
But here's where it gets controversial... These actions, according to analysts, signal a new trend: a purge not just of dissenters, but of the regime's own allies. This suggests a shift, a potential power struggle within the system itself.
Ekaterina Schulmann, a Russian political scientist, points out that "First, they went after the anti-war voices. Now there are none left, and the repressive machine cannot be stopped."
While the official reasons for these crackdowns vary – disputes over ties with Azerbaijan, misuse of funds, and so on – observers believe a deeper rift is at play. Schulmann describes it as a clash between two rival camps: the veteran propagandists closely tied to the defense ministry and the Kremlin, known as the "loyalists," and the "militarists" or Z-bloggers, a grassroots movement of ultranationalist war supporters. The militarists, composed of bloggers and volunteer activists, have been actively raising funds, providing supplies, and even criticizing the war's execution. This relative independence has seemingly triggered Moscow's disapproval.
Schulmann further explains that "Autocracies fear civic mobilization of any kind. Any authentic movement, including a pro-war one, is perceived as obstructive and potentially dangerous."
And this is the part most people miss... Money has become a major point of contention. With billions of rubles flowing into the war effort, the competition for resources has intensified. Ivan Philippov, a Russian researcher, highlights the struggle, mentioning Vladimir Solovyov, a prominent television propagandist, who is allegedly spearheading efforts to purge the pro-war bloggers, reportedly angered by their fundraising success.
The irony hasn't been lost on Russia's anti-Putin opposition. They're watching those who once remained silent as liberals were imprisoned now realizing the injustice is indiscriminate.
Markov's protest, calling it a "misunderstanding," and Alyokhin's lament about the law violating the Russian constitution, are striking. Schulmann anticipates more arrests, stating that the repressive apparatus must continue to find new targets. The machine must keep feeding itself.
What are your thoughts? Do you believe this infighting is a sign of weakness or a calculated move by the Kremlin? Does this internal conflict change your perspective on the war in Ukraine? Share your opinions in the comments below!
