Unexpected ending ? Claim is that Putin near death, so would that end the war in Ukraine ? I wager no, and what comes afterwards
quote
"There is a general understanding that for some time it is possible to use a double of the president after the death or removal from power of the real Vladimir Putin.
"Almost all interested parties are ready to rally around a double who can be controlled.
"The only problem is who will control the double, and this requires mutual trust, which simply does not exist."
Putin has not publicly voiced an opinion of his possible replacement, but the top candidate is said to be FSB chief and top security aide Nikolai Patrushev.
The Telegram channel - without providing any solid proof - also claims those close to Putin favour Patrushev.
But a row could yet explode over the Russian president's replacement, with some senior players understood to be seeking "guarantees" on their future under a new regime.
end of quote
The idea is that if Putin dies, that this will magically end the Ukraine war. I hate to be the grinch who "stole" Christmas, but if the FSB chief takes over, there may actually be an intensification of fighting in Ukraine, for a few months, until some power sharing arrangement is finalized involving Russian elites whom do NOT have a vested interest in continuing the fighting.
For too long, the supposition has been that it is ONLY Putin whom is the supreme architect for directing the war;.
In reality, the situation is way more complex, and that it could be markedly different .
My guess is that it will instead be similar to what happened, after Beria was summoned, then imprisoned then shot, with a temporary troika of survivors of Stalinism, whom made necessary agreements to end the Korean War, in 1953. But in the case of Ukraine, there very well may be an initial figure like Beria ,the secret police chief whom was executed, by his rivals. I.e. and THEN the troika of survivors then FORCED an end to the fighting
My guess is that the FSB chief will make an initial bid for supremacy, be shot down, and likely SHOT, then the survivors, if rational, will stop the Ukraine invasion.
That pre supposes a high level of rationality. But in this 21st century setting that presumption of rationality may be a pipe dream
quote
Russian channel claims Putin close to death following 'sharp deterioration' in health
Story by Paul Withers ?14h
Vladimir Putin's death is "imminent" after a "sharp deterioration in his health" and body doubles could be used to impersonate him after he dies or is removed from power, a Telegram channel has claimed.
Putin appears to limp amidst speculation over his health
This is according to the General SVR channel, which has speculated Russia's president could be seriously ill.
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It predicted a body double would continue in power after he dies in order to hide his demise from ordinary Russians.
But there is reportedly a row between his aides over who should control these body doubles - lookalikes who have been trained by his FSO secret service as stand-ins for Putin.
The Telegram channel posted: "The attending doctors predict Putin's imminent death amid a sharp deterioration in his health.
vladimir putin health? GETTY
"In the inner circle of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a fuss began with an attempt to create a consensus around the idea of the continuation of the existence of the Putin regime after Putin.
"There is a general understanding that for some time it is possible to use a double of the president after the death or removal from power of the real Vladimir Putin.
"Almost all interested parties are ready to rally around a double who can be controlled.
"The only problem is who will control the double, and this requires mutual trust, which simply does not exist."
Putin has not publicly voiced an opinion of his possible replacement, but the top candidate is said to be FSB chief and top security aide Nikolai Patrushev.
The Telegram channel - without providing any solid proof - also claims those close to Putin favour Patrushev.
But a row could yet explode over the Russian president's replacement, with some senior players understood to be seeking "guarantees" on their future under a new regime.
Historically, the constitutional stance is if Putin were to die in office, then he would be replaced by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin for a three-month period - making him the acting president.
putin meeting kremlin? SERGEI GUNEYEV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The Telegram channel continued: "Putin himself refused to leave any instructions or covenants on what to do after him, preferring to withdraw into himself, and perhaps deciding that the chaos after him is the best legacy.
"Be that as it may, the end will come very soon. Power in Russia in a crisis situation traditionally goes to the one who turns out to be the most daring."
round Putin's ill health has been swirling for several months, with the Russian president only making fleeting public appearances and speeches since the Ukraine war began.
On Tuesday, he was pictured meeting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani at the Kremlin in Moscow.
end of quote
Andrew Beckwith, PhD
Some really weird **** is going on. Unexpected and chilling. Read up on how the Russian elites fought it out after the death of Stalin