The Russian government is steadily establishing total digital control over the citizens of Russia.

Just this week, legislative amendments were introduced to monitor every online purchase and effectively ban the use of a second SIM card for commercial transactions. Fines are also being introduced for viewing "extremist materials" - which could mean virtually anything: a song by a so-called "foreign agent," a news report from a Ukrainian outlet, or even an Instagram account.

The Kremlin is attempting to fully control VPN usage and is preparing criminal charges for every internet user.

Russia has long been moving toward total digital control of its population: most global social media are banned; "domestic alternatives" (such as Max messenger) are being introduced in their place; VPN usage is being restricted, and nearly every online action is being tied to user identification.

The ultimate goal of the Russian authorities is to link every citizen to a single SIM card, through which the government can monitor their every move.

In such conditions, any Russian (sooner or later, knowingly or not) may end up being prosecuted and easily coerced into doing whatever the state demands, including being "voluntarily" sent to the front lines.

Total control over the population, paired with complete impunity for those in power - this is what Putin seeks in order to secure lifelong rule.
https://x.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1945412468152611167

>State TV
>State Internet
>No Porn