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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday vowed to crush anybody bent on dividing Russian society.
He, however, extolled the country's law enforcement agencies for their unwavering loyalty.
Putin has escalated decades-long crackdown on civil society, independent media and opposition amid his military offensive in Ukraine, with dissent and criticism of the Kremlin outlawed and punishable by years of long prison sentences.
Putin in a video message posted by the Kremlin said, “Those who try to intimidate people, to split our society, to play on religious or national feelings will never succeed.
“Inevitable and just retribution awaits them,” he added.
Putin, who was marking Russia’s “Investigation Officers’ Day” paid tributes to various Russian law enforcement agencies, including the Investigative Committee and the FSB security services, the successor to the Soviet-era KGB.
“Investigators show unconditional loyalty to the Fatherland and our people,” Putin said.
Critics of the Kremlin said Russia’s focus on investigating and prosecuting its domestic political opponents and rivals has left it blind to genuine security threats.
Almost all of Putin’s main opponents are in jail or have fled into exile.
Putin having passed strict military censorship laws that make criticism of the military illegal, has repeatedly claimed Russian society is united behind his offensive on Ukraine.
AFP
