With the Russian presidential election coming next March, the political atmosphere for Kremlin critics has turned hostile, even downright dangerous. Earlier this month, Yulia Latynina, one of Russia’s most prominent journalists and a fierce detractor of Vladimir Putin, announced she had left Russia with her family and would not be returning any time soon. But he brushes aside the danger he faces: “I live in Russia and I’m staying here.”To most observers, Navalny is clearly the Kremlin’s No. But why would Putin, who has never met Navalny or uttered his name in public, view him as such a threat? In sharp contrast to the aloof Putin, Navalny, who has endless energy, stumps like a Western-style politician.

Source: Los Angeles Times September 22, 2017 10:52 UTC