Stunning scenes from across Russia. Moscow & St. Petersburg aren’t representative of Russia, so too often events there don’t represent the views of the rest of the country. These protests are different: In the dead of winter, tens of thousands have come out in the streets.

@navalny is a polarizing figure. His anti-corruption activism garners a lot of attention, but doesn’t generate support for protests beyond his base. This isn’t sufficient to precipitate a change in government behavior. These protestors are reacting to government overreach.

The attempted assassination & confinement of Navalny have aroused deeper feelings. These protests seem to have legs. If Putin cracks down, which is his proclivity, he may rouse a movement so widespread that even his ruthlessly efficient security forces will find hard to control.