Vladimir 's police state has become so repressive that a popular joke from Soviet times has resurfaced and been repurposed for those Russians today who dare to acknowledge the truth about the autocratic regime they are living under. It tells the story of two FSB (successor of the KGB) agents who are having a beer after work. The first one, Ivan, says to his colleague, 'Tell me, Dmitry. What do you really think about Putin?' and Dmitry replies, 'The same as you do.' Ivan thinks for a moment and says: 'In that case, it is my duty to arrest you.'It makes us laugh because it reveals the malevolent absurdity of a system that demands ceaseless self-censorship and mental contortions.The reality, though, is far from funny, as schoolgirl Varya Galkina can testify after skipping a mandatory 'patriotism' class, then using a Ukrainian flag on her WhatsApp profile. Whether these were conscious acts of resistance and defiance is unclear, but the next thing she knew the police were on her doorstep to arrest her.
Load More
Load More