This was the guy the Russians just sent in to save the day:

[Rhiannon12866]

46. It's as sad as it gets that the old time Soviets have regained power

I visited the USSR back in the late '80s with my grandmother who joined a peace group which had a "sister town" high in the Caucasus Mountains and this was their initial trip. It was an awesome group of experienced and knowledgeable world travelers - all senior citizens except for one other lady - and me. We met with other peace groups throughout the country and, having experienced the horrors of WWII fought on their own soil, were also dedicated to peace. And this was under Gorbachev who had instituted more progressive policies (glasnost and perestroika, openness and transparency) and there was such hope back then. So my heart also breaks for the Russian people as we see them returning to the dark days of repression and Soviet-style rule.