While all eyes are turned to Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin has quietly enacted laws that opponents say will strengthen his hand in a battle against dissent in Russia.
Putin signed laws Monday envisaging tougher punishment for people involved in riots and imposing life sentences for various "terrorist" crimes. He also approved tighter controls on bloggers, some of whom have emerged as opposition leaders and have used the Internet to criticize Putin and arrange protests.
"All this tightening will be applied only for political ends," said Dmitry Gudkov, a member of parliament who helped organize rallies against Putin in the winter of 2011-12.