Gennady Askaldovich, an ambassador with the Russian Foreign Ministry, cautioned that a number of Russian expatriates were preparing to stage provocations abroad in the run-up to the presidential elections. This assessment was reported by TASS, citing Askaldovich during a meeting of the Central Election Commission. The speaker noted that not every person who relocates necessarily acts as an adversary, but some who remain outside Russia have adopted strongly anti-Russian attitudes and, as believed, are planning provocations before and during the voting period.
According to Askaldovich, these emigrants can become increasingly aggressive over time. He pointed to the registration of a presidential candidate and stressed that authorities are monitoring the situation. The Foreign Ministry is engaging patriotic citizens and seeking ways to involve them in preventing extremist activities by those who have relocated abroad. The aim is to reduce the risk of actions that could undermine the electoral process or public order.
The presidential elections in the Russian Federation were scheduled to take place on March 15 to 17, 2024. Vladimir Putin participated as a self-nominated candidate, with his candidacy formally registered by the Central Election Commission. Should Putin secure another term, it would mark his fifth presidential tenure. In addition to Putin, the commission had registered other contenders, including Leonid Slutsky, Nikolai Kharitonov, and Vladislav Davankov, expanding the field of candidates for the vote.
There have been past statements from deputies in the State Duma suggesting that the European Parliament could be influenced by activist groups working outside Russia. The dialogue around these issues continues to emphasize the importance of safeguarding both national sovereignty and the integrity of international institutions, while ensuring that electoral processes remain free from external manipulation and interference.