Critical Messages About Putin Appear During Annual TV Event, Raising Questions Amid His Run To Extend Over 20-Year Rule
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Text messages criticizing Putin and his policies surprisingly appeared on-screen during his annual phone-in TV event, which is usually carefully controlled.
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Messages criticized Putin, state propaganda, high grocery prices, and the disconnect between Kremlin messaging and people's actual lives.
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The rare public criticisms of Putin come while he has confirmed he will run for president again next year after over 2 decades in power.
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Observers debated if the critical texts were deliberately allowed through to create a false impression of free speech.
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During the event, Putin said his Ukraine invasion goals "have not changed" and the war would continue until they are achieved.