Technology

That's not how it works really. In Putin's Russia, just like in every similar regime in history, most people talking free-minded stuff or even protesting don't get punished in any way. But some random ones do get jail sentences with the whole list of convictions. And those sentenced are sometimes not even very keen in their views, that's what helps the effect. You know that anything you say on political subjects can be used against you, and it will be random and unjust, because a lot of people say the same and don't get hit with the proverbial brick of Russian law enforcement. So as a result some people talk all they want and some people are afraid of political subjects being even touched upon in their presence.

The former group existing doesn't really hurt the regime. The latter group existing helps it. And they talk very little to each other on political subjects, which is the most useful result - another category of separation.

The whole point of Putin's psychological strategy against Russians is in making a lot of categories of separation and reasons for apathy. It doesn't rely on any beliefs being instilled or any active support being called upon. Just that nobody believes anything or does anything.

That's optimal for preserving power, and support is replaced with enormous strategic resources, but as we can see, those resources are not enough. Still, I think it'll be many years till that regime falls like Syrian one just did, and yes, just like in Syria, it may fall not to the most pleasant people.