When I first read about this, I was alarmed. But then I read more and realized that this was primarily about elections of the "regional" governors. You may not know, but in Russia, you are pardoned for any crimes you may have commmitted once you are elected to regional or central government office. This has led many of the murderous oligarchs running and winning office in Russia. I don't think that limiting the eligibility for these offices is a major threat to democracy in Russia. Now if Putin does something similar for Moscow and St. Petersburg, then that is the time to worry.
When I first read about this, I was alarmed. But then I read more and realized that this was primarily about elections of the "regional" governors.
"Under his proposal, which the Parliament will almost certainly adopt since it is dominated by parties loyal to him, Putin will appoint governors, presidents or other leaders who are now elected in each of the country's 89 regions. Putin's proposals also would eliminate the district elections that choose half of the 450 members of Parliament; instead, they will be selected based on national party lists drafted in Moscow in close consultation with Putin's Kremlin."