‘Total distrust’: rise of the Russian informers

Cases of denunciation have proliferated in Russia since its invasion of Ukraine, with people across the country being reported to authorities for expressing dissenting views in private or in closed settings. Informing has become a key pillar of support for the Kremlin and a tool of control.

March 31, 2023 . 9:04 PM

1 min read

Cases of denunciation have proliferated in Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with people across the country being reported to authorities for expressing dissenting views in private or in closed settings.
Informing was common practice in the Soviet Union, and since the start of the invasion of Ukraine, informers have become a key pillar of support for the Kremlin and a tool of control.
Denunciations create total mutual suspicion, total distrust, and are rapidly becoming commonplace, fuelled by calls from the Kremlin and propaganda outlets to hunt for domestic traitors and saboteurs of Russia's war effort.
Denunciations can be a way to demonstrate to the state and to yourself whose side you're on.
Russia's biggest bank, Sberbank, issued a warning about a new scam telling victims they are accused of treason for sending money to the Ukrainian army and offering to open them a new bank account.