Internet blocking, increased powers for law enforcement, ideological laws… Putin facing the discontent of a population overwhelmed by the bans

It is a country where, in 2026, it is often difficult to reach loved ones and friends due to internet blocking – « pour raison de sécurité »we explain. A country where it is now forbidden to film and broadcast drone attacks which are increasing. A country with an admirable culture but where entire shelves of public libraries and bookstores have been purged. A country that is not supposed to know that the famous film director Andrey Zviaguintsev was recently honored in Cannes, since the official media did not talk about it. A country which has, very officially, second-category citizens, called “foreign agents”. A country where you “post” a “like” can earn you a fine, or even prison, if certified informers have you in their crosshairs and are working to open a « protocole » judicial…

In the middle of a fifth year of war – as a precaution, many Russians still stick to talking about