Free Republic

The Russian government is to outlaw criticism of Soviet military tactics during the Second World War in the latest example of its heavy-handed approach to dissent. The controversial plan comes after a television documentary exposed the scale of human losses during one of the conflict's bloodiest battles. The programme stirred deep emotions in a country that has traditionally glorified the heroic exploits of ordinary soldiers during the 'Great Patriotic War' but has often ignored the immense human cost behind the victory over Nazi Germany. As anger among veterans swelled, the government sensed an opportunity to capitalise on the public mood...