Rather interesting that the focus of "oppression" is levelled directly at Russia, when in fact, a large number of conspicuous cases are directly associated with the West. Edward Snowden, a US whistle blower has been protected by Russia and was recently granted citizenship. By contrast, most famously, Australian Julian Assange suffers under horrible conditions in a United Kingdom jail, for exposing crimes committed by the United States government. Chelsea Manning was imprisoned for similar whistle blowing, in the United States. Suffice to say, whether the claims made here have substance and who's to say they don't, there should also be a counter balance, acknowledging the same or similar outcomes in the West.