Russia isnt run by a bunch of liberal idiots, it is run by Putin who is to the right and doesnt care about political correctness. He also doesnt care if you say stupid things as long as you are not criticizing him.
Look at the amount of criticism of Putin, real criticism about major issues. You just dont see it in the press. Look at the number of anti-Putin protests they simply dont happen. Compare that to the US. There is a lot of dissent in the US, even to presidents that win reelection and these people are not arrested or otherwise harmed.
Tell you what, he doesn't even care about stupid forms of criticism. Unless you are Khodorkovsky who wants to squeeze the budget dry and to lobby laws allowing to drain capital straight to Cyprus.
He (oh blasphemy!) cares about Navalny much less than Navalny's supporters think, and Sobchak Junior sat in his lap when she was little.
You want us to bash Putin, that is quite understandable. But we don't obey you.
It is normal for a politician to be the subject of criticism.
You dont have to bash Putin if you agree with his policies, however you are naive if you think there is no major opposition to his policies. The amount of public protests and public opposition to Putin suggests everyone agrees with him.