Russia reaches lowest state of ‘freedom’ since collapse of USSR. This is according to Freedom House – a non-profit, non-partisan body which has monitored global democracy for some sixty years. Their accompanying press release marks Russia as the only country to become ‘not free’ citing:

“[the] flawed nature of the country’s parliamentary elections in December 2003 and presidential elections in 2004, the further consolidation of state control of the media, and the imposition of official curbs on opposition political parties and groups. Russia’s retreat from freedom marks a low point not registered since 1989, when the country was part of the Soviet Union.”