Kelly McParland in the National Post:

“Another new law will enable Moscow to block sites without a court order. Russia’s biggest social media site is now under the control of people close to Mr. Putin, according to a report in Al Jazeera.

Another law signed on Monday makes it illegal to  “wittingly spreading false information about the activity of the USSR during the years of World War Two”. Russians could face up to five years in jail for questioning the official version of  Nazi crimes and Moscow’s role in the war, possibly including any criticism of  Joseph Stalin, Moscow’s wartime leader, who has been blamed for ordering the deaths of  tens of millions of Russians during mass purges against enemies and opponents of Communism. It could also be illegal to repeat comparisons likening Russia’s current activities in Ukraine to Hitler’s seizure of European territory before the Second World War.”