Putin orders FSB to hunt traitors: 'Identify and punish them'

(Patria) - Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a hunt for "traitors" in his address to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), after winning a new presidential term.

- They should be identified and punished. We will punish them without a time limit, wherever they are - Putin said in a noticeably angry tone, Hina reports.

He added that Russia will not forget the traitors who committed crimes against the state.

Several cases of murders of Russians, some of them while abroad, or deaths under unexplained circumstances have been recorded.

Putin specifically referred to Ukrainian attacks on the border Belgorod region, where there have recently been civilian casualties.

Intense attacks occurred in the region during the presidential elections between Friday and Sunday.

He spoke about terrorism, whose purpose was to disrupt the voting. He accused "terrorist and sabotage groups" operating alongside Ukrainian forces, mercenaries and other "scum".

The latter could refer to Russian citizens who have defected to the Ukrainian side.

Putin also called on the FSB to cooperate with other intelligence services in strengthening counter-terrorism activities.

- We are facing a strong and dangerous opponent who has a wide range of information, technical and financial resources in its arsenal - Putin said.

He recalled the explosions on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea in 2022.

- It is also necessary to strengthen border security, for example through greater efficiency of mobile units - Putin said.

He referred to land and sea borders, including the Black Sea, where Ukrainian forces have been successful against the Russian navy. The FSB is, among other things, responsible for protecting Russian borders.