How conspiracy theories help to maintain Vladimir Putin’s grip on power in Russia (The Conversation podcast)

Yablokov tells The Conversation Weekly that Russia’s conspiracy culture has become a key tool for Putin’s regime: “Conspiracy theories are one of the few ways of keeping the society together and to prevent the change of the regime.”

Fear of anti-Russian conspiracy now informs many pieces of domestic legislation, such as the 2022 changes to the criminal code that were aimed at censoring criticism of the Russian military, and in particular its actions in Ukraine. Yablokov adds:

Every possible activity that can shake up the regime and question its actions is forbidden on the grounds of an existing conspiracy against Russia and its regime...
Interview: 

https://theconversation.com/how-conspiracy-theories-help-to-maintain-vladimir-putins-grip-on-power-in-russia-225703