Kremlin attempts to quash public dissent regarding war - British intelligence

This was reported by the UK Ministry of Defense.

It is noted that the Kremlin is likely attempting to quash public dissent by wives of deployed Russian soldiers, including by attempting to pay them off and discrediting them online. This follows small scale protests in Moscow in November 2023.

In recent weeks, the Russian authorities have likely offered increased cash payments to families in return for them refraining from protest.

As reported, on 27 November 2023, one prominent online group for soldiers’ wives published a manifesto against ‘indefinite mobilisation’. On around 31 November 2023, the group was pinned with a ‘fake’ warning label – likely at the instigation of pro-Kremlin actors.

"The authorities are likely particularly sensitive to any protests related to those citizens mobilised in September 2022, who have now been at the front line for over a year," the intelligence service believes.

• Back in September, Russian propaganda outlets received an "urgent request" from the Russian presidential administration not to mention the new wave of mobilization in the country.