Russia's latest crackdown: The banning of a resistance symbol
Even the smallest reason is a good reason for the authorities in Russia to suppress their citizens. Talking against the war is virtually prohibited, and any inappropriate acts or words can result in severe penalties. This time, the Russian Supreme Court has banned the letter "L". According to the Kremlin, it represents a "symbol of traitors and terrorists," specifically referring to the fighters of the Russian Freedom Legion.
The conflict that Russia started in Ukraine has been ongoing for more than two years. The Kremlin prohibits its citizens from supporting an anti-war stance. Independent Russian sites have reported that authorities are even detaining children in care centres for drawing pictures that denounce the military aggression.
Human rights advocates are raising the alarm that repression in Russia is steadily growing. During the March elections, when Vladimir Putin aimed to be re-elected as president for another term, individuals were forbidden from queuing at 12 PM on Sunday. This measure was taken because the opposition had selected this time for a symbolic protest.
This time, the decision of the Russian Supreme Court is reported by the television channel Belsat. According to the resolution, the letter "L" has been banned and recognized as a symbol of the Russian Freedom Legion, which is deemed a terrorist organization because it opposes the policy of Vladimir Putin and his administration in the Kremlin.
The symbol of resistance against Russia banned in Moscow
For its self-identification, the Legion adopts symbols including the Latin letter "L" and a white-and-blue flag, as well as an emblem featuring a clenched fist against a white background on a black shield and the motto "Freedom of Russia" in white-and-blue – the court's verdict was cited by the television channel Belsat.
Therefore, displaying these symbols, even letters without the flag, leads to criminal charges. Lawyer Yevgeny Smirnov, a human rights advocate, believes in a discussion with the news portal Agency that the court's ruling enables overly broad interpretation and further repression against citizens.
Since 12 March, in the Russian regions neighbouring Ukraine, there have been ongoing clashes between the military forces of Vladimir Putin and volunteer groups supportive of Ukraine. The Siberian Battalion, the Russian Volunteer Corps, and the Russian Freedom Legion are actively engaging. The Russian army struggles to control the partisans in the Kursk and Belgorod regions.
The main focus of the artillery attacks is the Belgorod region. Vladimir Putin has stated that the volunteers would be neutralized, but so far, this has only been in words. The Kremlin began its campaign by prohibiting the letter "L", positioning it as a counter to "Z", which Moscow endorses as a symbol of the invasion of Ukraine and which the West has termed "the new swastika".
