JRL NEWSWATCH: “Unbowed; Protests in Moscow show that Putin’s critics are getting stronger; Repression isn’t working like it used to” – The Economist
“It is 20 years this month since then-President Boris Yeltsin appointed a shadowy security chief called Vladimir Putin as Russia’s prime minister. The next New Year’s Eve, the ailing … Yeltsin would install the ex-KGB man as his successor. On the anniversary of his ascent to power … Putin has little reason to celebrate. [In one of a series of recurring demonstrations, w]aving white, red and blue Russian flags, an estimated 50,000-60,000 protesters flooded a broad avenue. ‘Russia will be free!’ they chanted. … the biggest opposition rally since 2012 – after … Putin’s pals again bamboozled a ballot. … The danger for … Putin now is that the protests will trigger a chain reaction throughout Russia. …”