Patriot

The Duma is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, serving as one of the country’s two legislative chambers alongside the Federation Council. It is responsible for drafting and passing federal laws, approving the budget, and overseeing government activities. Members of the Duma are elected and play a key role in shaping Russian policy, though its influence can be limited by the executive branch’s power. In Patriot, Navalny describes how he has attempted to alter the political composition of the Duma, which he believes to be in the control of Vladimir Putin.

The FSB (Federal Security Service) is Russia’s main domestic security agency, responsible for counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and surveillance. It plays a significant role in Russian politics by maintaining internal stability, monitoring political opposition, and enforcing state security policies, such as by targeting Navalny. The FSB operates with considerable authority, often influencing political decisions and shaping the country’s power dynamics through its close ties to the Kremlin.

The Gulag was a system of forced labor camps operated by the Soviet government, primarily during Joseph Stalin’s rule. It played a central role in Soviet politics by serving as a tool for political repression, where millions of prisoners, including political dissidents, were subjected to harsh conditions and forced labor.