In Russia, corruption is considered in much the same way as the climate: something that makes life harder and causes constant grumbling, but is an unchangeable part of the fabric of life…

However, while cases are often brought against mid- and low-level officials, those at the very top of Putin’s “power vertical” appear immune. Well before the Panama Papers revelations, anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny released damning reports that provide convincing evidence against ministers and the political elite.

However, instead of investigating, state bodies have instead gone after Navalny. The politician was under house arrestand his brother has been jailed. A documentary due to be aired this week will claim Navalny is an MI6 operative trying to bring revolution to Russia, based on “evidence” from “secret MI6 correspondence” permeated with grammatical errors.

Navalny said no disclosures about Putin or his inner circle were capable of harming the president’s ratings, because state television simply ignores them.