Bear in mind that Moscow and St Petertsburgh are tiny spots in the whole of Russia, its a very big place.
True, across Russia their access is maybe more limited than ours but it's available, especially to the younger population. The internet, and phones, seems to find ways around the blocking, and for the old timers I think Free Radio America is still beamed at them. I'm actually surprised at the amount of information and criticism that some politicians and posters inside Russia are apparently allowed to make. I think it relates to the level of threat they pose
Although that seems to be another blend of propoganda itself. None of them are stupid and they know they are being given a version of the facts, the same as we are.
Yes, there are more people falling out of windows and having strange accidents, that is one of the less pleasant things about Russian politics and life. Neither is it different in a lot of other countries, many of them friends with Russia.