I disapprove of the suppression of free speech by anyone. As an American, I enjoy the privileges of the First Amendment to our Constitution, which (supposedly) allows me the freedom to speak and wrote my views without fear of repression or punishment. However, as an enlightened American, I realise that the First Amendment is unique among nations, and even our Ally the UK frequently punishes and suppresses free speech. I also realise that my own country fails in many instances to uphold the principles of free speech (Julian Assange, anti-BDS laws, etc.).

But the link you have provided does not contradict what I assert.

For example, I maintain that Russia does allow opposition parties (such as the Communist Party, which won 20% of the vote in the last election. This sets it above Ukraine in terms of "democracy". Likewise, Russia allows opposition media outlets - again, something that sets it apart from Ukraine, which as we know has banned opposition media and opposition political parties.

Russia is also not the only one to ban certain types of speech "during wartime". Are you familiar with "Myrotvorets", the Ukrainian kill list which recently added Tucker Carlson to its list of people slated for assassination ?

Do you know the case of Gonzalo Lira, the US citizen who recently died while imprisoned in Ukraine for criticising the Zelensky regime?