Entering the world of Nashi for Russia: Vlad's Army was extraordinary.
We joined members as they sang songs celebrating the manliness and power of Vladmir Putin. Even some of the men - macho types who can handle themselves in a fight, say they think he is sexy. The women are crazy for him. Oksana Mitropanova, a 21 year old Nashi member, says: 'I worship Putin. I think he is a wonderful man, a splendid man, the most worthy politician. 'I am a fanatic! When he is behind the wheel Russia will be strong. Forward Russia!
We found these young people completely devoted to Putin. To us it seemed he is turning into one of those archetypal figures who occur throughout Russian history, a strongman with mystical powers, attracting uncritical devotion from his followers. I wanted to know why these young people were so in awe of Putin.
The leader - Masha Kislitsnya, described how it was her experience growing up as a young girl, daughter of a single mother, in the 1990s that formed the basis for her admiration for Vladimir Putin. With the government in collapse following the fall of communism she recalled a time where many lived in poverty and the shops were often empty of goods. Everything changed for the better, she says, when Vladimir Putin took over.
We met people who said Putin and his allies hold great influence over the Russian state in other ways. Olga Romanova was one of them. A financial journalist whose husband Alexei ran a profitable construction business until Olga ran an article about the business practices of a close ally of Vladimir Putin. She says that soon after the article was published, the FSB - the successor security service to the KGB - started an investigation into Alexei. He was arrested, charged and sent to jail for eight years for the theft of shares. He has already been inside for three years - half their married life. Olga says the charges against her husband are unsubstantiated and they have been unfairly targeted by the notorious K department inside the FSB, which pursues economic crimes against the state. She believed all this was down to the article she had written.
During our time in Russia Olga was told by the Supreme Court that her husband's original sentence was unlawful and the case would be reviewed.
An organization, which protects small firms estimates that one in six Russian businessmen are in jail. Many of these charges are believed to baseless. Valdimir Putin denies allegations that the FSB are taking over Russian businesses illegally.
Looking ahead there is widespread apprehension for the future of democracy and the rule of law in Russia. However we did find hope. The story of Alexei and Olga suggests there might still be justice for those willing to fight for it.
Find out more about Reporter Peter Oborne
