The new rules will require popular bloggers to register by name with Russia’s communications oversight agency and conform to regulations on the mass media.

The Kremlin denies allegations of censorship or pressure on the media and says Russians have the right to express their opinions and stage protests.

CIA PROJECT

But Putin has described the Internet as a CIA project and parliament has approved moves requiring social media websites to keep their servers in Russia and save information about users for at least six months.

With 61 million users, Russia is Europe’s fastest-growing Internet audience, according to a 2013 report by industry body comScore, and blogs have been seen by Putin’s opponents as one of the few popular platforms beyond the Kremlin’s reach.

FK – See below. Are  you ready for what will be required?