Service in the army, which has a well-documented history of violent and sometimes fatal hazing, is feared by many young Russians, not just those who oppose the government. "All young people understand the repressive character of our army, so it's a real threat ... And in Oleg's case, I think they wanted to take him out of circulation before the presidential elections." Russia will elect a new president March 2, but opposition groups have pledged to take to the streets to protest what they see as Putin's determination to allow no challenge, however marginal, to the election of his chosen successor, Dmitry Medvedev, the country's first deputy prime minister. Full Article at The Washington Post