- Russian government agencies are searching the internet for insults against Putin, the report says.
- Look for insults about Putin’s height, rumors about his health, or criticism of his policies.
- Criticism of Putin has long been suppressed in Russia.
Leaked documents show that Russia has a secret unit tasked with scouring the internet for insults to President Vladimir Putin, among whom he is a ‘bald dwarf’ and a ‘thief’. It also includes a mention of
Details of the team were found in data from Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor, which was stolen last year by Belarusian hackers and handed over to an independent Russian agency. media outlet, RFERL, others.
The federal agency is compiling a report on all “negative publications” about Putin and briefing the presidential administration and Russia’s security services, according to the report.
According to the iStories report, they are particularly concerned about rumors about Putin’s poor health, claiming the president suffers from “dementia” or “mental illness.”
Official staff reportedly track insults against Putin classified as “negative discrediting information,” including labeling the Russian president a “thief” or “bald dwarf.” .
Reportedly, they also searched for references to him as “Little Thechess,” the folklore dwarf he was portrayed in a popular Russian satirical show that aired after Putin became president. I’m here.
They are accused of tracking comparisons of President Putin to negative figures such as serial killers and pornographic films. is. RFERL reported.
Since taking office in 2000, Putin has enacted a wave of censorship, stripping key television networks from airing in the early 2010s and labeling independent media outlets as foreign operatives.
Last year, he banned the unilateral Russian invasion of Ukraine from being described as a “war.”
Debate over the Ukrainian conflict is one of the issues monitored by the unit exposed in leaks, reports say, after he mobilized civilians into the Russian army last August. sharply increased. This is reported by Russian independent media Novaya Gazeta.
The Kremlin is cracking down on Russian search engine Yandex and closely monitoring the internet for signs of dissent. Reuters reported.
Putin has carefully managed his image as he restricts civil liberties in Russia, establishes himself as a macho mogul in media stunts, and appears in elaborately choreographed public events.
According to a Wall Street Journal report last year, Putin doesn’t use the internet out of fear of espionage.
