I posted this comment in another thread (hope it's OK to link). TL;DR Putin has a track record of using bizarre public "emergencies"* to progress what he wants, maybe this is another one.

*e.g. Moscow theatre gassing, Beslan school massacre

To comment on my own link, I still think (per comments elsewhere), that right from the get-go this is a 3-way play orchestrated by Putin to get a strong fight-ready leader on his western flank, and north of Ukraine.

I do not think it has much at all to do with a coup or exile.

I do wonder (given the weird and largely bloodless development of the 'march for justice'and it's current state with Prighozin and some Wagner said to be going to Belorussia) whether that is all a play for public consumption. It wouldn't be the first time Putin has staged dramatic and public events to achieve his ends.

A worrying evolution consistent with the rumours would be Prighozin as Lukashenko's head of "Security", but aligned with Putin, plus a reconstituted Wagner threatening Ukraine's northern border.

That sounds like a huge win for Putin compared to the current situation.

Maybe that's crazy, I hope so.

Ha, I'd rather take odds on Lukashenko "falling from a window" - I seem to remember he was reported as "seriously ill" a few weeks ago, plus if I remember Putin was pressuring him to attack Ukraine, and he refused.

Get rid of L. and Putin can install Prigo. and they will work together on Ukraine. Scary.

Yeah you may be right, I even hope you're right. But I don't think Putin cares about saving face in the west.

I would guess his biggest challenge would be keeping the Belorussian people in line. I know little about the country, I should probably read up!

Fair enough, I couldn't disagree at all.

Would be wonderful to sneak a peak at a historical analysis from ++50yrs: either it's Putin's masterstroke, or he's struggling to tamp down prima donna Prigohzin with his buddy Lukashenko's help. Occam's razor would certainly point to the latter.

Just this: echo 'Suella Braverman' | sed s/S/Cr/

Why I left there decades ago and have never gone back.

All $hit highly processed "foods" anyway. Better off without them.

Good point, but Putin plays the long game, I suspect this is strategic manoeuvring for 12-18 months from now.

That's exactly right. I imagine Putin & his lackeys are very busy indeed right now. Just I would definitely not count him out like many articles seem to be.

Edit: spelling