Russian president Vladimir Putin in an address to the Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, has called for “traitors” to be hunted down.
Freshly elected after a thumping victory, Putin asked for the traitors to be identified and punished.
“We will punish them without time limitation, wherever they may be. Russia would not forget these traitors who had committed crimes against the country, he noted.
In the address, Putin specifically mentioned attacks from Ukraine along the border, where there have recently been civilian casualties during the days of the recently concluded general elections.
Stressing the need to intensify counterterrorist work. Putin called on the FSB to join forces with other intelligence services.
“We are dealing with a strong and dangerous adversary, who has a wide range of information, technical and financial resources in his arsenal ,” he noted.
The FSB is primarily responsible for protecting Russia’s borders, among its other duties. The president called on the group to aid Russian companies bust Western sanctions and help spread their roots in newer markets.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the West imposed severe sanctions, but according to Putin, these sanctions had very little impact and the wartime economy has thrived. The Russian economy grew 3.6% last year.
As a former KGB spy in East Germany, Putin saw the former Soviet Union crumbling. The KGB lost most of its power when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, but in eight years time it had one of its own calling the shots as the top post.
He told the officers that the West was a dangerous enemy and was busy sowing discord in Russia through propaganda, technology and finance.
He added that the FSB should use Russian achievements in quantum technology and artificial intelligence to counter the West, and up its anti-terrorism activities.
