(Reuters) – Graffiti warnings were daubed on Moscow’s doors by activists. For “discrediting Russia’s military army”, a food blogger was threatened with 15 years imprisonment. An appeal to dismiss a high-ranking former official accused of “treachery” in opposition to the war in Ukraine.

On Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin sent a harsh warning to “traitors”, saying that the West will try to use them to create a fifth column against Russia. However, the Russians would quickly be able to distinguish the “patriots” from “scum”.

Dmitry Ivanov (a Moscow-based activist) said that his mother discovered a graffiti message written on their door: “Don’t betray your motherland Dima” within hours.

Many of the Z signs were used in Moscow’s “special military operation” (to disarm and denazify Ukraine) to generate support. It is based on markings from Russian armoured vehicle and tank tanks.

Ivanov said that while he didn’t know who did the graffiti but knew at least three others, which included activists and journalists whose doors were also defaced on Wednesday night.

I don’t understand their motives: To frighten or not to scare, or to just spoil your mood. The 22-year-old said that it was difficult for them to terrorize us by such actions because we are used to receiving this type of attention.

This action could have been done in order to enhance Putin’s speech. This is particularly true considering the way these markings have been done so cheaply, and in such a poor manner. “It was done in an hurry,” he stated.

Since February 24, when the Kremlin attacked Ukraine, thousands have been taken into detention in Russia.

“SELF-CLEANSING”

In comments made to ministers of government on Wednesday, Putin stated that Russians will spit out traitors like gnats and the society would benefit from it.

He stated, “I’m convinced this necessary and natural self-cleansing will strengthen our country and our solidarity, cohesion, and willingness to face any challenge.”

When asked about Thursday’s remarks, Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson said that many were proving themselves to be traitors.

They are disappearing from our lives.” Many people leave their job, others quit their work, while some move abroad. “That is how the cleansing takes place,” he stated.

The Investigative Committee (a law enforcement agency) announced that Putin had spoken. It also revealed the identity of the first suspect, a food blogger who was being investigated for publishing “false information about Russia’s military on her blog.

After a wave of protests against the invasion, Russia passed a law that could lead to up to 15 years imprisonment.

Veronika Belozerkovskaya, a French citizen who currently lives in France, said she wasn’t surprised that she was singled out because she fits the profile of someone the average Russian would hate.

“You see, there’s this obese woman on the Cote D’Azur or in Provence who makes foie gras. She also eats lobsters. And she dares to blather over there. She said that she has all the qualities an average person would find disgusting.

A senior member of United Russia’s ruling party demanded the resignation of Arkady Davorkovich, former deputy prime Minister and head of an economic foundation.

Dvorkovich (who is now the International Chess Federation’s head) condemned the war through comments made to Western media.

Andrei Turchak, the parliamentarian, stated that “He made his choice.” This is the national betrayal and the behavior of the fifth column that the president spoke today.