If you were a Russian – one not afraid to say what you think out loud (which, I am certain, narrows the field down dramatically) – what would you say about vladimir putin?
That he is a disaster for your country? That his war against Ukraine – which was expected to last days or weeks but has now gone on for years – has cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of Russians, destroyed the economy and has accomplished nothing in return except devastation of most of Ukraine (is that something to be proud of)? Taken Russia straight down the tubes?
With the above in mind, let’s consider what John Varga and Gavin Quinn’s article for London’s Daily Express might be telling us. Here are key excerpts:
Putin panic as top Russian army officer killed in ‘road accident’ amid purge fears
A high-ranking Russian officer has died in a questionable road collision that claimed three additional lives. His death follows just over a week after a Kremlin general unexpectedly died on Christmas Day under unclear circumstances.
The crash occurred on Sunday near Alchevsk in Ukraine’s occupied Luhansk region. Colonel Erik Selimov was traveling with his security detail when his vehicle allegedly struck a truck carrying troops from the 88th Separate Motorised Rifle Brigade.
His passing marks yet another in an ongoing string of unexplained and abrupt fatalities within Russia’s senior military leadership. Colonel-General Yuri Sadovenko, 56, passed away unexpectedly on Christmas Day due to a heart attack, despite having no prior health issues.
His passing came after that of Lt-Col Stanislav Orlov, 44. Known as the “Spaniard”, he led Putin’s infamous football hooligan battalion that saw action in Ukraine, including in conflict zones such as Bakhmut.
Speculation is circulating in Moscow that the Colonel was eliminated by Russian intelligence operatives while at his residence in occupied Crimea.
The independent Russian news outlet Astra released surveillance footage captured near the officer’s residence that allegedly depicted vehicles carrying intelligence personnel pulling up to his home. Moments later, bursts of light can be observed piercing the night – likely from gunfire.
What the %$&$!! is going on in Russia?
We know that, for years and years, enemies of Putin have had a habit of dying untimely deaths, via poisoning, falling out of high-floor windows, and other similarly convenient-to-Putin ways.
But now it looks like at least a few of the people who protect Putin are dying just as unexpectedly.
Could it be? Could this herald a similarly unexpected demise for Putin?
Years ago, I wrote that all it would take is one of the many armed personnel guarding Putin to raise his/her weapon and take him out.
Even if that person were to be killed immediately for doing so, he/she would be seen by many as a heroic martyr. I would think some people might see this as a pretty strong impetus to take action. Maybe one of them is within range.
Would you miss Vladimir Putin? I know I wouldn’t.
Another fingers-crossed situation for us.
