In an unprecedented move, Russian President Vladimir Putin made harsh remarks  against elite businessmen in his country, also referred to as ‘oligarchs’, who are generally considered close to the ruling establishment. Putin expressly referred to the intention of Western sanctions to provoke a ‘fifth column’ of “national traitors” against the government by restricting their assets and wealth in Western countries. He said that the loyalty of the elites was with the West and not the ‘motherland’, and they were being used by the West to “split our society”.