Russians have woken up in a different country, one seeking internal enemies to blame for the country’s descent into economic isolation and hardship
Even before Vladimir Putin declared a hunt for “national traitors” and a “fifth column” over his invasion of Ukraine this week, anti-war activists had faced increasing pressure, including police torture, intimidation tactics, work dismissals and other threats.
In a police station in Moscow earlier this month, an anti-war protester managed to record her own beating as officers threatened her for taking part in peaceful demonstrations that have already seen nearly 15,000 people detained.
