If freedom of speech is absolute, how come it's not applied...

Conspiracy

Terroristic threats

That’s what it is. You have no right to use other people’s stuff. If people let you use their stuff, they can tell you how you can use it, and they can tell you to stop using it any time they want.

Ground beef sold at Whole Foods might be contaminated with E. coli, USDA warns - CNN

Fraud

You have freedom of speech. If I loan you my computer, I can tell you not to use it for certain things, because it’s mine, you have no right to use it, and if I give you permission to use it I can tell you what you can and can’t do with it.

Insurrection

How do police officers feel about the fear they instill into criminals?

Trade secrets

You have freedom to travel. If I loan you my car, I can tell you not to take it out of town, because it’s mine, you have no right to use it, and if I give you permission to use it I can tell you what you can and can’t do with it.

Insider trading

Rick Pitino 'Feels Bad' For Tom Thibodeau After Knicks Firing - Sports Illustrated

HIPAA violations

Revenge porn

And much, much more.

Why do some people refuse to explain their actions or behavior when asked? Why do they claim to not know the reason instead of providing an explanation?

Freedom of speech does not apply to:

If you’re wondering why free speech doesn’t apply to the internet, it’s because you have no right to use other people’s stuff for free.

No freedom is absolute.

How would you describe modern day Russian society, beyond just politics?

Threats of violence

Revealing classified information