People in Russia today are probably freer than they were under the Czars. That is an objective fact.
These "probably" and "objective fact" in one statement are really funny. Actually, we can compare the reign of Tsar Alexandr II "The Liberator" and the modern era.
Firearms: no restrictions > licensed ownership
Justice system: a competitive process with jurors > professional judges and "telephone justice"
But:
Religion: converting from Orthodox Christianity is a felony punished with penal servitude, loss of social standing, freedom of choice for other subjects > untraditional denominations and religions are discouraged
Women rights: a traditinal patriarchial society > full rights
Corporal punishment: used for peasants > banned
A society divided into estates > full social mobility
Well, the modern era is likely freer, but not in all aspects.