There is no clear understanding in Russian society of who Russian officials mean when they talk about the “fifth column” and “national traitors”. Nevertheless, three broad categories of answers to this question can be distinguished: the “collective West” (Western countries, their leaders, NATO, etc.), Russian elites (mostly those who have gone abroad or keep money there) and critics of the Russian government.

The respondents were asked an open question about who in their opinion Vladimir Putin meant when he spoke about the “so-called fifth column” and “national traitors” who help the West in the fight against Russia. About half (46%) of respondents found it difficult to answer this question. This means two things: people do not really understand what they are talking about and this topic does not cause a significant number of people an emotional response, the topic is not interesting to them.

At the same time, a large proportion of people believe that the words about the “fifth column” mean the West itself: various Western countries, Western politicians, NATO, etc. A significant number of respondents refer to various representatives of the Russian elite as “national traitors”: not only Russian artists who have left for the West or large businessmen who keep their money offshore, but also various politicians, deputies and officials. Finally, the third group includes various critics of the Russian government: from the “non-systemic opposition” to the “intelligentsia”.

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