In previous eras pay was highly correlated with the ability to project force, since keeping those parties happy was what kept a ruler in power. Given that Putin

In previous eras pay was highly correlated with the ability to project force, since keeping those parties happy was what kept a ruler in power. Given that Putin rules like a petty feudal lord I imagine a similar principle holds here. If police stop getting paid, while having to battle thousands of protesters each day, I expect their loyalty to change very quickly.