In a worrying sign of growing repression, Russia is witnessing a surge in citizens informing on each other over perceived disloyalty to the state, particularly in relation to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The revival of this deeply ingrained culture of surveillance and denunciation is drawing uncomfortable parallels with the Soviet era, when informants played a central role in suppressing dissent and stifling free expression.
Since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the government has ramped up efforts to stifle opposition and suppress critical voices, using both legal and extrajudicial means. What is perhaps most striking is the role ordinary Russian citizens are playing in reporting each other to the authorities, often in ways reminiscent of the KGB’s shadow over Soviet society. This phenomenon has sparked concerns about a return to authoritarian practices, where personal and political freedoms are increasingly restricted under the guise of patriotism and national security.
A Culture of Fear and Loyalty
The Russian state’s crackdown on dissent has become more visible with each passing year of the war, as laws and policies are enacted to punish those who oppose the invasion or criticize the government’s actions. In the months following the war’s escalation, authorities introduced a range of repressive measures, including the criminalization of “disinformation” about the military, the forced closure of opposition media outlets, and harsh penalties for those deemed to be “discrediting” the armed forces.
However, it is the rise in citizen surveillance—where individuals are reporting their own neighbors, colleagues, and even family members—that has shocked many observers. Reports of citizens being arrested or fined for expressing anti-war sentiments or spreading “false information” about Russia’s actions in Ukraine have become increasingly common. What is even more troubling is that many of these reports are coming from other ordinary citizens.
According to reports from human rights groups, the trend of informing on others has become so widespread that there is a growing sense of distrust among the population. People are afraid to voice their opinions, even in private settings, for fear that someone will overhear and report them to the authorities. Informants have been incentivized with monetary rewards and promises of leniency, fostering a culture where people are encouraged to betray even their closest acquaintances.
A Revival of Soviet-Era Practices
This trend echoes the Soviet era, when the government relied heavily on citizens to report suspected “enemies of the state.” The KGB, the Soviet security agency, used informants to monitor every aspect of life, from private conversations to intellectual discourse. Neighbors, colleagues, and even family members would often inform on each other for perceived anti-Soviet behavior, resulting in arbitrary arrests, imprisonment, and exile.
The memory of this time is still fresh for many Russians who lived through it, and it seems to be coming full circle under President Vladimir Putin’s regime. While Russia’s leaders have consistently rejected comparisons between the modern state and the totalitarian control of the Soviet Union, the rise of informants and the extensive state surveillance present a stark reminder of how such systems can thrive in times of political and social upheaval.
Putin’s government has made it clear that loyalty to the state, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine, is non-negotiable. Laws that punish “treasonous” acts, including speaking out against the invasion or spreading anti-government rhetoric, have been passed with increasing frequency. These laws, combined with a growing sense of paranoia and fear among ordinary Russians, are contributing to an environment where surveillance and self-censorship have become the norm.
Personal Testimonies: Betrayal and Fear
Many Russians are now speaking out anonymously, sharing their experiences of living in a climate where one cannot trust even close friends. “I overheard a conversation between two colleagues at work, one of whom was critical of the war,” said one Moscow resident. “The next day, the colleague was gone. No one knows what happened to him, but we all suspect it was because someone reported him.”
Others have shared harrowing tales of family members being arrested after someone in the community denounced them for anti-war opinions expressed in private. “It was my aunt. She had a conversation with a friend about how sad she felt for the Ukrainian people. A week later, she was arrested and accused of spreading false information,” recalled another witness, who asked to remain anonymous. “She’s been missing ever since.”
Even those who have not directly experienced the consequences of reporting are feeling the growing weight of living in a society where everyone is a potential informant. “You can’t say anything anymore, not even in your own home. People are afraid to speak openly. It’s like we’ve gone back to the times of the Soviet Union,” said a St. Petersburg resident, expressing frustration at the pervasive climate of fear.
Government Justification: Protecting the State
The Kremlin has defended its actions, arguing that the laws are necessary to protect Russia’s national security and the integrity of the state. Officials have framed the war in Ukraine as a “special military operation” to defend Russian sovereignty and protect ethnic Russians in Ukraine, positioning any dissent as an act of treason.
In this context, informing on others is presented as a patriotic duty. State-controlled media outlets regularly encourage citizens to report any signs of dissent, portraying those who challenge the government as enemies of the state. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s office has also launched a public campaign promoting its “hotline” for whistleblowers, where citizens can report what they believe to be illegal activity or opposition to the war.
In response to the growing tide of denunciations, human rights organizations have condemned the practice as a violation of basic freedoms. The Kremlin’s actions are viewed as an attempt to build a “culture of fear,” where people are forced into submission by the prospect of being turned in by their peers.
International Reactions and Condemnations
The revival of this informant culture has prompted widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and foreign governments. The United Nations and the European Union have expressed concern over the erosion of civil liberties in Russia, calling for an end to arbitrary arrests and the harassment of political opponents.
“These practices are reminiscent of the darkest days of totalitarianism and are part of a larger strategy to suppress free speech and dissent,” said Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe expert, Masha Korytkova. “The chilling effect this has on ordinary citizens is profound, and the international community must do more to hold Russia accountable.”
A Divided Society
As Russia’s internal climate becomes increasingly polarized, the power of the state to control public opinion through surveillance and fear tactics grows stronger. The rise in citizen informants is yet another sign of how the political landscape in Russia is shifting towards a more authoritarian and repressive model, one in which loyalty is demanded and dissent is punished severely.
While the government may present these actions as a way to protect national interests, the broader consequence is a society increasingly divided by distrust and fear. As ordinary Russians navigate this fraught environment, the specter of Soviet-era repression looms large, with many questioning how much freedom remains in a nation where anyone could be an informant.