Putin Administration Seizes on Party Backlash to Shift Public Anger from Kremlin Policies
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The backlash against Russian celebrities who attended a risqué party was directed by Putin's administration to shift anger away from the Kremlin.
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Leading propagandists and law enforcement swiftly punished attendees, indicating high-level direction.
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Initial conservative outrage was seized on by officials to divert attention from an independent peace candidate.
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Public opinion polls don't show majority outrage over the party among regular Russians and elites.
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The crackdown signals authorities want to impose militarized mass consciousness and morality.