Analysts say a purge of the Russian regime’s own supporters is under way as rival factions turn on each other
A
pro-Kremlin pundit who for years has hailed Vladimir Putin as one of history’s great men in appearances on foreign media. A military blogger, zealous fundraiser for Russian troops, and promoter of openly genocidal rhetoric about Ukraine.
A Ukrainian-born army volunteer and commentator for the state-controlled RT network lamenting that Russia had not launched its full-scale invasion sooner.
These are the kinds of characters who have thrived in recent years in Putin’s Russia, where unwavering loyalty and militant enthusiasm for the war in Ukraine were rewarded with money, status and influence.
