MOSCOW, February 28. /TASS/. The Kremlin supports the crackdown on the illegal activities by members of the Private Military Company Ryodan group and believes it’s a sham subculture that doesn’t benefit Russian youth, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.
He said the Kremlin "took note" of the incidents, such as fistfights, that involved members of the group.
"Certainly, a reaction should follow. It’s important to stop illegal activities. And of course, it’s looks more like a pseudo subculture that doesn’t benefit our youth," Peskov said.
The informal youth group Ryodan has gained notoriety after Telegram channels and social networks published videos featuring brawls between its members and teenagers from other groups. The run-ins have taken place in public spots across various Russian cities. Police responded with detentions.
State Duma Security and Anti-Corruption Committee Chairman Vasily Piskaryov said on Monday that the lower house of the parliament would study the situation in the near future. He said "it’s necessary to understand whether any representatives of unfriendly countries were behind the new ‘trendy’ group" with the purpose of using the youth to destabilize Russia.