Four years after the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia appears to be entering a new phase of internal tension, marked by increasingly visible discontent among the population.
The Russians are finding it harder and harder to bear the digital camp imposed by Putin/PHOTO: EPA/EFE
In recent months, repeated outages of digital services in major cities have affected daily life and started to generate public backlash, including criticism of President Vladimir Putin.
Domestic pressures, despite economic resilience
Despite the economic impact of the war and Western sanctions, Russia has managed to maintain relative stability, in part due to the tight control exercised by the security services over the protests.
At the same time, the rise in energy prices, amid tensions in the Middle East, provided indirect support to the Russian economy.
However, the authorities appear to be stepping up the crackdown. In recent weeks, new political arrests and large-scale raids have been reported, in parallel with a rhetoric increasingly close to Soviet symbolism.
Pressures on freedom of expression
A recent case is the searches carried out at one of the largest publishing houses in Russia, Eksmo. Several employees were detained as part of an investigation into alleged “LGBTQ propaganda.”
The investigation concerns, among other things, a novel published in 2021, which presents a relationship between two young people in a Soviet camp. Russian authorities have expanded legislation restricting such content in recent years.
In 2023, Russia's Supreme Court designated what authorities call the “international LGBTQ movement” an extremist organization, which carries severe criminal penalties.
Pressures on independent media
The space for the independent press continues to shrink. The police recently raided the editorial office of the Novaia Gazeta publication, one of the few remaining active independent outlets.
A journalist was detained for questioning in a case concerning the alleged illegal handling of personal data. The case is perceived by observers as having a deterrent effect on the media.
After the 2022 invasion, Novaia Gazeta suspended its print edition, continuing to publish online, under increasingly restrictive conditions.
Control over information and digital platforms
Access to independent information is limited by the ban on global platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. In parallel, the authorities promote the use of state-controlled applications for digital services.
Around the same time, the Memorial organization, known for documenting Soviet-era abuses, was designated as “extremist,” a decision criticized by international officials.
The return of Soviet symbols
In addition to the control measures, the Russian authorities seem to be revaluing symbols from the Soviet era.
The FSB Academy was recently renamed in honor of Felix Dzerzhinsky, the founder of the Soviet secret police. Also, controversies were reported regarding the modification of some memorials dedicated to the victims of the repression.
The reaction of the Kremlin
President Vladimir Putin recently addressed the issue of digital blackouts, acknowledging that they affect major cities but describing them as rare.
He explained that the measures are related to the prevention of possible attacks and suggested that informing the public in advance could compromise security operations.
An increasingly restrictive climate
Overall, recent developments indicate a strengthening of state control over society, in a context of protracted war and increasing internal pressures. For many citizens, this translates into a more difficult daily life and an increasingly limited civic space.
