Couldn't find the appropriate thread....

Anyone following the 'democratic' development in Russia? Very interesting how Putin and friends define Democracy.

Some may say it's the only way to manage a heterogenous and giant country like Russia, but when I notice how the opposition gets suppressed, how TV, press and broadcast push Putin & Co. and how critical websites have been under attack during the elections, I cannot call Russia a democratic system.

Is this in the focus of the US citizens too, or is it too abstract, too far away?