He certainly is. When he jails dissidents, it's for "tax-evasion" rather than counter-revolutionary thought.
At least they don't have laws like NDAA which can torture and murder people without warrant. Just some months back ,I attended a Fair Russia which was against Putin policies .They did not put me in jail or torture me. I have criticize United Russia and Putin several times on Livejournal,but no intelligence services on my door.I have seen Communists call for killing putin in street rallies ,but none of ever jailed.
Compare that with the Marine who was detained for his facebook posts. Get off the propaganda Kool aid your Govt gives you. Russia is free today.