Number 1

For the first time in years Russian intellegensia has to stood up to the country's de facto number 1 Vladimir Putin. During a charity event in support of the children cancer foundation that took place in Putin's native Saint Petersburg a number of famous actors and musicians not only looked grim, sitting at the table with the PM, but did the unthinkable- spoke out. Musicians Yuri Shevchyk for a few minutes talked about the terrifying state that the country is in, the lack of basic freedoms and independent media, and asked if the opposition demonstration, planned for the 31st of May, will once again be repressed. The demonstration was organised to bring attention to article 31 of the Russian constitution which stands for the human rights, freedom of speech and expression. Putin, barely able to cover his contempt, responded with a number of ridiculous statements, abruptly cutting Yuri off every time he tried to say something. 'If people go on the demonstrations not for their own PR but to point out our sore problems, i welcome that' Putin said. At the end Yuri, very smartly, asked if he can say a toast in which he proposed to drink to the children and their future in a country that will be free and a country of goodness, kindness and light ,and not the country we live in today. Putin, noticing that the glasses are filled with water, said that the drink in front of us is the same as the toast that was said. He hated that conversation and it was visible.
During today's demonstration people were beaten and over a hundred were arrested.

Conclusions to date:
Putin is the country's number 1. As well as a monster.
Intellegensia has finally reached the boiling point.
Opposition will continue to be prosecuted.
Every time someone speaks out publicly on the true state of Russia, it is shocking.
Government controlled channels showed their own edited version of this conversation.

My personal belief is that the government does not believe the opposition can truly make people rise against the current state of things, because the Russian people are once again in a state of numbness and passive indifference.