See my post 15. A lot of protesters aren’t even showing up for Navalny, but for their desire for genuine elections and freedom. They may not even like Navalny, but he’s become the face of the opposition because all the other opposition has been squashed to death (or fear) or left the country. (Lots of outmigration from Russia these days by the way.)
I don’t think anyone contends Russia has free and fair elections, or the protections of the Bill of Rights.
But I don’t think anyone could argue that the Russian government doesn’t represent the wishes of the majority of the Russian people.
Even Gallup reports a 80+% approval/support for Putin.