We will not let enemies destabilise Russia – Putin

President Vladimir Putin told a meeting of his Security Council on Friday that “ill-wishers” were increasingly trying to destabilise Russia and that this must be prevented.

“We must do everything we can to make sure that under no circumstances will they be allowed to do this,” Putin said.

He said Russia’s Security Council would discuss ensuring security in the context of what he said were “extremely important” issues concerning relations between the vast country’s 190 ethnic groups.

“Today, we will also be addressing these issues in terms of ensuring Russia’s security, in this case domestic political security,” he said.

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Since sending tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has intensified its crackdown on dissenting voices and pushed the remainder of its beleaguered liberal opposition abroad.

Putin has repeatedly called on Russia to unite in the face of “existential threats” from the West, but has occasionally faced animosity from ethnic groups who feel particularly targeted by Moscow’s mobilisation drive.

In March, Moscow outlawed the Free Nations of Post-Russia Forum, an organisation founded by opposition activists that advocates independence for Russia’s multiple ethnic groups.