Putin's foreign minister says freezing Russia's currency reserves was 'thievery' and that the Kremlin didn't expect such harsh sanctions
Business InsiderAPR 2022
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
This is an important statement, and highlights the worry surrounding Oligarchs that the Kremlin and Putin have labelled as 'scum.' Russia is clearly willing to turn on its own people no matter the legacy that they've left for the country.
Narrative B
While a welcome statement, this does nothing to suggest that Putin has lost the support of the Russian political elite. Chubais' departure represents an exception, not a trend. Putin's inner circle isn't succumbing any time soon to public protests in Russia or sanctions targeting oligarchs.