Its no secret that Russia is and has always been a propaganda state. Their efforts to control information and influence public opinion at home and abroad are are aggressive and extensive. But Putins Russia has a greater goal: to control the internet--the greatest tool in bringing about a total surveillance state.

But theres another side to Big Comrade. Its a legion of brilliant programmers and hackers who serve as a counterbalance to Putins goal of totalitarianism. Its an epic struggle waged not with guns and bombs, but with mouse clicks and websites, disinformation, misinformation and leaks.

Irina Borogan and Andrei Soldatov are in a tenuous position. They are journalists in a nation where there really is no clear delineation between freedom of the press and when its better for your health to stop looking. Despite that uncertainty, they have investigated this fascinating interplay of technology, intelligence, commerce and freedom in brilliant style. Heres their story: The Red Web: The Struggle Between Russias Digital Dictators and the New Online Revolutionaries. Follow their work in Russian or in English here.