What Makes Putin a Dictator?

A demonstration in support of the safe return of children taken from Ukraine during the war, in Brussels in February.Credit...Thierry Monasse/Getty Images

Controlling Elections and Staying in Power

Putin has been in power since 1999, either as President or Prime Minister. He has changed laws to extend his rule and suppress any real competition. In 2020, he pushed through constitutional changes that allow him to stay in power until 2036. This kind of political maneuvering is common in dictatorships.

Silencing Opponents

A key characteristic of dictators is that they don’t tolerate opposition. Putin has been accused of jailing, exiling, or even eliminating his political rivals. One of the most well-known examples is Alexei Navalny, a vocal critic of Putin. Navalny was poisoned in 2020 with a deadly nerve agent (which is believed was ordered by the Kremlin), and after recovering in Germany, he was arrested upon returning to Russia. In 2024, he died in prison under suspicious circumstances. Prison records indicate he had been treated for "malnourishment" prior to his death.

Controlling the Media

In a democracy, the press is supposed to free to criticize the government. In Russia, however, Putin has taken control of most major media outlets. Independent journalists who expose corruption or criticize him often face harassment, imprisonment, or worse. Many reporters have been killed under mysterious circumstances.

Suppressing Protests and Free Speech

When Russian citizens protest against him, Putin’s government responds with brutal crackdowns. In 2021, after Navalny’s arrest, mass protests erupted across Russia. Thousands of protesters were detained, and many were beaten by police. Freedom of speech is limited, and people can be arrested simply for speaking out against the government.

War and Aggression

Putin is also responsible for military aggression against other countries. There;s so much to cover on this topic, it warrants breaking it down further:

1. The Invasion of Crimea (2014)

   In 2014, Russia invaded and illegally annexed Crimea, a region that was part of Ukraine. This was a major violation of international law. Here’s what happened:

   • Ukraine was going through political turmoil after protests led to the removal of its pro-Russian president.

   • Taking advantage of the chaos, Putin sent in Russian troops, claiming they were protecting Russian-speaking citizens.

   • Soon after, Russia organized a sham referendum where people were supposedly voting to join Russia, but the vote was neither free nor fair.

   • Despite international protests, Russia officially annexed Crimea, making it part of Russia, which Ukraine and most of the world do not recognize.

   This was the first time since World War II that a European country forcefully took land from another. It set a dangerous precedent and led to sanctions from the U.S. and European countries against Russia.
   

2. War in Eastern Ukraine (2014–Present)

   After taking Crimea, Russia secretly supported separatist groups in eastern Ukraine (Donetsk and Luhansk). This led to an ongoing conflict where:

   • Russian-backed rebels started a war against the Ukrainian government.

   • Russia sent weapons, money, and even troops while denying any involvement.

   • In 2014, Russian forces shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, killing 298 people—most of them European civilians.

   The war in eastern Ukraine continued for years, and despite peace talks, Russia never stopped interfering.
   

3. The Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine (2022–Present)

   On February 24, 2022, Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, falsely claiming it was necessary to "de-Nazify" and "demilitarize" the country. The war has caused:

   • Mass destruction: Cities like Mariupol, Bakhmut, and Kharkiv were bombed heavily.

   • Thousands of civilian deaths: Ukrainian towns have been targeted, leading to war crimes accusations.

   • Millions of refugees: Over 8 million Ukrainians have fled their homes, making it Europe’s largest refugee crisis since WWII.

   • Atrocities and war crimes: Reports have emerged of Russian troops committing massacres in places like Bucha, where civilians were found executed with their hands tied.

   Despite global condemnation, Putin refuses to back down, and the war continues, with massive economic and human costs.
   

4. Threats to Other Countries

   Putin’s aggression is not limited to Ukraine. He has also threatened and intimidated other neighboring countries:

   • Georgia (2008): Russia invaded Georgia, taking control of two regions (Abkhazia and South Ossetia). Those regions are now occupied by Russian forces.

   • Moldova: Russia supports separatists in the region of Transnistria, a breakaway state that functions as a Russian-controlled territory.

   • Threats to NATO: Putin has repeatedly warned NATO countries (like Poland and the Baltic States) that they could be targets if they interfere in Ukraine.

     
     

War Crimes

As mentioned above, Putin faces possible war crimes charges for the targeting of civilian targets in Ukraine. However, perhaps the most serious war crimes he has been charged with is the forcible deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, thousands of Ukrainian children—estimates range from 16,000 to 20,000, but some sources claim is it far greater —have been illegally taken from occupied territories and placed in Russian homes, orphanages, or "re-education camps." Many of these children were separated from their families, given new Russian identities, and subjected to pro-Russian propaganda, in an attempt to erase their Ukrainian heritage. There is a law in Russia that prohibits the adoption of children who are citizens of another country. To get around this, Putin instituted and order making all the children Russian Citizens so they could be given to families within Russia. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin and his Commissioner for Children's Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, accusing them of overseeing this mass deportation, which is classified as a war crime under international law. The warrant means that Putin risks arrest if he travels to any ICC member country, further isolating him on the world stage. Despite overwhelming evidence, Russia denies wrongdoing, claiming it is "protecting" the children—an argument widely rejected by Ukraine and the international community.