Russia moving towards 'totalitarian state' says renowned author

Russia moving towards 'totalitarian state' says renowned author

Famed Russian writer Boris Akunin says the Putin regime identifying literary figures as terrorists or extremists is "an important step" towards totalitarianism.

Akunin, who has spoken out against Moscow's military operation in Ukraine, was placed on a list of extremists earlier this week.

The 67-year-old also says Putin can only be toppled by action from within Russia, rather than military means.