Modern Russia: Influence of the Soviet Union
Today, Russia is a federal presidential republic, but has been primarily ruled by Vladimir Putin, who has had direct or indirect control over the country since 2000. Though the assumed responsibility of the government has shifted from ensuring a communist society to ensuring a pro-Putin society, individual rights of the citizens are still being infringed.
Though the government does allow some political free speech in smaller cities, the government influences all major news networks through ownership and pressure. Individuals who write dissenting views are fired from their positions. Several journalists have been murdered, including the prominent Putin critic Anna Politkovsky.