In a historic “all-Russian plebiscite” (a legal loophole whereby the government can change the constitution through the direct vote of all members of the electorate), Russian citizens cast their ballots in favor of a number of proposed constitutional amendments. Now, Putin can remain in power until 2036.

Lost between reports on the coronavirus pandemic and the criminal justice reform movement sweeping our nation, it’s easy for Americans to pay little heed to Russia’s domestic policy. But on Thursday, news broke that Russian hackers had launched cyberattacks on North American and British servers, seeking to hamper coronavirus vaccine development efforts. It’s yet another reminder that U.S.-Russian relations are at an all-time low, and the public must take a moment to consider what an elongated Putin reign means for us.