Russia’s Latest ‘Revolution From Above’ Trickles Slowly Down

The new rules become clear, the cocoons thicker and life oddly more stable

Photo by MJ Tangonan on Unsplash

At first, the thunderous crash of the water upsets everything. So powerful, the force of the descending water makes it nearly impossible to think. Slowly, the noise slips into the background, and the unsettled water, slapping forcefully against the rocks, becomes the norm.

Regardless of Putin’s slow creep toward authoritarianism since 2000, Russia still had more freedom than it didn’t — compared to now that is. When you look at what Russia was on February 23rd, 2022, and what it has become today, it is two different worlds; two different systems of government.

With the laser-like precision that Russian optometrists became so accustomed to using on far-sighted people from all over the world seeking Lasik relief, the Kremlin turned society upside down leaving citizens with little or no independent news sources while ensuring that any counter-viewpoint expressed would result in quick and severe punishment.

Having abandoned this society a year ago until recently I still imagined that I could return and not be harassed by the authorities. After a series of developments in the past month, I realized that not only could I not return without the fear…