Where is Putin?

[ORAC]

This is why it’s impossible for the Kremlin to lie about Putin’s weird disappearance (http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/03/14/this-is-why-its-impossible-for-the-kremlin-to-lie-about-putins-weird-disappearance/)

WORLD VIEW: PUTIN’S DISAPPEARANCE MAY BE PART OF A MAJOR MOSCOW POLITICAL CRISIS (http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2015/03/14/world-view-putins-disappearance-may-be-part-of-a-major-moscow-political-crisis/)

Here are the best theories about why Putin has disappeared (http://uk.businessinsider.com/whats-happening-to-putin-2015-3?r=US)

Fresh Kremlin images spark new debate over whereabouts of Vladimir Putin (http://uatoday.tv/politics/fresh-kremlin-images-spark-new-debate-over-whereabouts-of-vladimir-putin-415319.html)

The Russian President has not been seen since March 5

As the world continues to wonder where is Vladimir Putin, rumours continue to fly fast and furious. The Russian President was last seen on March 5th and since then, the Kremlin has released pictures and videos of Putin, but question marks over their authenticity have only fuelled more speculation that something has happened to the Kremlin strongman.

Social media was thrown into a frenzy after pictures emerged late Friday night of multiple unmarked white trucks pulled up beside the Kremlin. Various rumours started to circulate when other images of a stage being set up were posted to Twitter.

Some suggested the stage was being erected for Putin's funeral other suggested it was to mark Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea. But at this point, very few concrete facts are available about Putin's whereabouts......

http://image.tsn.ua/media/images3/990x540/Mar2015/384674155.jpg

http://image.tsn.ua/media/images3/990x540/Mar2015/384674156.jpg

http://image.tsn.ua/media/images3/990x540/Mar2015/384674157.jpg

[SpringHeeledJack]

An unusual state of affairs at a precarious time in present day geopolitical happenings. As always there are guiding forces behind the show window of President, so it's not critical that Vlad has vanished. It seems that his girlfriend has given birth to baby Vlad in the last week somewhere near Lugano in Switzerland where said girlfriend lives and he was there for the show. If he was discrete and used a smallish biz jet it might well have been possible to have arrived and departed with little fanfare in the local airport.

[charliegolf]

Getting ready for Mothers' Day?

CG

[NutLoose]

His aid convoy to the Ukraine has arrived back with the stolen contents of the factory he plundered ;)

[sunbird123]

He is on maternity leave.

[mr fish]

please, please be dead!!!




FISH.

[NutLoose]

I would imagine a lot of people in power having tasted the good life of the west are in dread of it going back to the bad old ways... Agree with you Mr fish, it may solve a lot of problems.

[Wander00]

Mr Fish - be careful what you wish for - but odd BBC quiet on the topic

[MPN11]

Indeed, a dead Putin could lead to more chaos and confusion. The Devil you know and all that.

Perhaps the trucks are just shifting some furniture to his new Palace in Crimea?

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

It will be announced tomorrow that Vladimir Putin is to be the next Top Gear lead presenter.

No confirmation yet that Clarkson is taking over Russia, but James May has been seen wearing that furry hat again.

...also explains the BBC staying schtum.

[ShyTorque]

Perhaps he's gone to have the gap between his eyes to be widened a little. According to my late grandmother, it might help with perception of his apparent trustworthiness. Having said that...Oops, too late!

[Bigbux]

No confirmation yet that Clarkson is taking over Russia, but James May has been seen wearing that furry hat again.


A source has let it be known that Mr Clarkson's application for the role of Caliph was rejected by ISIS, on account of his political incorrectness.

[p.j.m]

Perhaps the trucks are just shifting some furniture to his new Palace in Crimea?

Just moving all his gold, art and valuables to a secret underground bunker, before he declares WW3 on the USA and Ukraine.

[fleigle]

All of those trucks are carrying pieces of a very large statue of him, thats why the crane.
:E:E:E
f

[Woff1965]

There is a crane in the bottom picture - that is either just a bit random or is he going to do some bungee jumping.

[ShyTorque]

Mussolini did that. But they never told him that piano wire doesn't have much give in it. And it's better to put it round your ankles, not further up.

[thing]

I thought old Musso and Clara were shotted before they were inverted?

[onetrack]

Vlad's still around. It will take more than a stake through the heart to get rid of him.
What has more than likely happened is that he copped an unexpected faceful from a martial arts opponent, and he's looking pretty bruised and battered.
Either that, or he stumbled and fell down a flight of stairs, and ended up looking like he copped a flying foot in the face.

Regardless of what happened, Vlad is no doubt looking the worse for wear, and probably will be for about 10 days - and there is no way he is going to appear in public, looking battered and showing weakness.

We're talking here, about the greatest macho guy on the face of the Earth, who leads the greatest macho society in the world - and who is also the worlds biggest image manipulator as a leader (and there's more than a few of them).
Anything that appears that he's less than totally invincible, will be carefully removed from public view - worldwide - for as long as it takes.

[Buster Hyman]

Wow. Tony Abbott really did shirtfront him!

[Surplus]

He's on his way back from the Sydney Mardi Gras.

[ORAC]

Где Влад? High Temperature? Room Temperature? Coup-ed Up? (http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=9220)

Russian internet imagines a future without Putin (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/13/russian-internet-putin-health-rumour)

[ORAC]

http://tedmccagg.typepad.com/.a/6a01053651288d970c01b7c761fbf9970b-800wi

[brakedwell]

A little bird tells me a Mr Vladimir Putin has placed a deposit on an exclusive property in South Kensington. :cool:

[ORAC]

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02180/dtgkenpalace0_2180623b.jpg

[Al R]

Israel?s former ambassador to Russia: 'There are signs of a coup' - World - Israel News | Haaretz (http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/.premium-1.647001)

[MPN11]

Well, if anyone knows, Mossad would be high on the list :D

Could be an interesting week ... or just another 7 days of speculation, of course ;)

[Eclectic]

The rumor mill is hot about the death of Viktor Zolotov, Putin's head of security.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Where is Putin?

"he's, ah...probably pining for the fjords!"


p.s. If Putin were to go, you'd probably have to get rid of his Head of Security.

n.b. The best indication of trouble will be 'Swan Lake' on the telly. They always play that during coups.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

This is interesting

Russia Update: Is There a Slow-Motion Coup Under Way? | The Interpreter (http://www.interpretermag.com/russia-update-march-14-2015/)

[NutLoose]

Love the second one

BBC News - Where's Putin? The best of the memes (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31901078)

[Buster Hyman]

Looks like Florida...

http://i.embed.ly/1/display/resize?key=1e6a1a1efdb011df84894040444cdc60&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpbs.twimg.com%2Fmedia%2FB__RjK8U8AEIvU_.jpg

[Rossian]

.....according to John Simpson this morning (0810 BBC news from Crimea) he was on Russian TV last night. But is it true? Who knows?


The Ancient Mariner

[Wokkafans]

Looks like Putin's been checking the rapid response ability of some of the Kaliningrad forces. The translation is a bit garbled but it looks like he brought them up to full combat readiness and then stood them down.

"Putin gave the order to bring the Northern Fleet and the number of compounds in the secondary cooling zone and Airborne full combat readiness

16.03.2015, 10:24 | «Times"

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the reduction in full combat readiness of the Northern Fleet and the individual compounds of the Western Military District and the Airborne Troops under sudden check, RIA "Novosti".

This was stated by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

He said that the sudden inspection involved 38 thousand. Soldiers, 3.36 thousand. Pieces of military equipment, ship 41, 15 submarines, 110 aircraft and helicopters."

Ïóòèí îòäàë ïðèêàç ïðèâåñòè Ñåâåðíûé ôëîò è ðÿä ñîåäèíåíèé ÇÂÎ è ÂÄÂ â ïîëíóþ áîåãîòîâíîñòü - Ãàçåòà.Ru | Íîâîñòè (http://www.gazeta.ru/social/news/2015/03/16/n_7015661.shtml)

Meanwhile, one of his aircraft is on its way to St. Petersburg:

RA-64521 - Russia Air Force - Aircraft info and flight history - Flightradar24 (http://www.flightradar24.com/data/airplanes/ra-64521/#5c3781d)

[ORAC]

.....according to John Simpson this morning (0810 BBC news from Crimea) he was on Russian TV last night. But is it true? Who knows? Prerecorded documentary about the annexation of Crimea. Transmission delayed to coincide with the anniversary.

His non-appearance on the anniversary reinforces the rumours...

[Stanwell]

Hmm,
Maybe his personal physician has taken him in hand - trying to wean him off the steroids.

[Eclectic]

Putin is ex boss of the FSB, hundreds of his opponents have met violent deaths, hundreds more are rotting in prison on trumped up charges, his St Petersburg mafia gangsters are in many of the most powerful positions, he is the richest man in history and the best protected. He thinks nothing of using a whole regiment to protect each of his many palaces.

However he has made a lot of enemies. And recently he has annoyed lots of the top people. Their fortunes have collapsed in value and they can't visit their South Kensington homes. Their Gulfstreams are gathering dust at Vnukovo.

Many think Putin has gone too far, that he is a loose cannon and his proclivity to escalate can only end one way. With Moscow becoming a glass car park.

To plan a coup against Putin would be incredibly dangerous for the plotters. So taking time to plan it in detail in advance would expose them to much danger. Better to just do it quickly, then do the planning afterwards. A slow motion coup.

This is one possible explanation for what has happened. Disappear Putin then take time to sort things.

If this were the case the sort of people who carried it out would not be any better than Putin as leaders. Just the usual authoritarian, kleptocratic gangsters.

[rh200]

We will all have a laugh when they start pulling the old "weekend at Bernies" trick with Putin.:p

[Wokkafans]

Twatter reporting he's made a public appearance at a meeting in St. Petersberg.

https://twitter.com/world_reporter/status/577422147842367489/photo/1

[Lonewolf_50]

Buster, that photo reminds me of Hunter S Thompson and Raoul. Looks more like Nevada to me. :cool:

Maybe Mr Putin is in Vegas ... what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and all that.

[Eclectic]

He looked very unwell and was sweating profusely:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAN_eoQWYAAvmGq.jpg

[Tashengurt]

I thought he looked very uncomfortable and a little bloated compared to other recent appearances. Made me think heart problems?

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

He has a heart??

[dazdaz1]

That Polonium gets everywhere:eek: He was on public show today.

[CoffmanStarter]

I have it on very good authority that Madame Tussauds staff have been on overtime for the last week :E

https://www.madametussauds.com/SiteImages/Assets/1/VladimirPutinClay.jpg

[NutLoose]

I must admit his head looks good on a spike...... :ok:

[Aviaservice]

He has a heart??
Interesting, when NATO bombed Belgrade, did you think about Clinton's heart?

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Perhaps you are forgetting that Russia backed NATO on that one.

[Aviaservice]

I've asked about other thing! Did you think about US president's hearts when they decided to attack any country?
And, Russia didn't support NATO!

[Eclectic]

Showed picture to a doctor.

Don't rule out cancer.

[eastern wiseguy]

That looks like a death mask.....

[Buster Hyman]

Lonewolf...perhaps you're right. Looking closer at the background now...don't know of any cactus in Florida of that shape. :}

[pohm1]

Showed picture to a doctor.

Don't rule out cancer.

That's a pretty good doctor than can diagnose cancer from a picture. Did he also tell you not to rule out flu or indigestion?;)

P1

[Eclectic]

pohm1

Flu or indigestion can usually be fixed in 11 days.

[Archimedes]

Interesting, when NATO bombed Belgrade, did you think about Clinton's heart?

Probably too busy thinking about the ethnic cleansing of several hundred thousand Kosovar Albanians and the various war crimes being visited upon them, to be honest...

The 'west'/NATO is far from perfect, but let's not forget what drove the bombing before we start on the path of simplisitic moral equivalency, shall we?

Anyway, for someone who takes great pride in his physical condition, Mr Putin looks rather under the weather - it might be he's got/is getting over something, although an appearance coupled with some announcement to the effect that the Preisdent has been suffering from flu/a heavy cold/ housemaid's knee and has been forced to limit his public appearances might have been expected from his reasonably proficient media team to kill off further speculation, I'd have thought?

[onetrack]

My guess is a prostate op. How long are you out of action for one of them? Any videos of him actually walking? :suspect:

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Good point.

9GKN8lOzHM8


Doesn't look to be limited in movement, but he has the training to hide a lot of pain.

[Buster Hyman]

Doesn't look to be limited in movement, but he has the training to hide a lot of pain.
And inflict it...:(

[rh200]

And inflict it..

Nah just comes naturally to some people.

[dazdaz1]

I viewed the clip on tv news, did you notice the perspiration/sweat on his head and face? He had a temperature.

[AreOut]

"Probably too busy thinking about the ethnic cleansing of several hundred thousand Kosovar Albanians and the various war crimes being visited upon them, to be honest...

The 'west'/NATO is far from perfect, but let's not forget what drove the bombing before we start on the path of simplisitic moral equivalency, shall we?"

there was no organized ethnic cleansing on Kosovo before bombing, yes the Albanians were in a bad position overall but rest assured Kurds are in a much worse position in Turkey which is NATO member

Kosovo was taken from Serbia because west wanted it under their control, soon the Bondsteel was built etc.

so "ethnic cleansing" was just a pretext which west found most suitable to occupy part of a sovereign country

[rh200]

Kosovo was taken from Serbia because west wanted it under their control, soon the Bondsteel was built etc.

The whole "under control" statement give way to an underlining bias that there is some controlling authority in the free world.

Something which couldn't be further from the truth.

[AreOut]

sure there is a controlling authority and this world is far from free

[Eclectic]

New World Order, Bilderbergers, Illuminati, Freemasons, Bankers.

These people have far more power than voters do.

[pr00ne]

AreOut,

Speak for yourself!

I am not subject to any "controlling authority" and my life is as free as one could possibly expect in a society that protects the weak and vulnerable and prevents mob rule and war lord rule.

[Heathrow Harry]

Eclectic - you forgot Prince Phillip and Large Green Lizards.......... :cool::cool:

[rh200]

sure there is a controlling authority and this world is far from free

Que the x files theme. Well I suppose if you integrate across the whole planet. But here in the west, just how much freedom does one want?

But then, philosophically, what is freedom?

[BenThere]

It was never about control of the region, who cares about that, but NATO was motivated to prevent its perception of atrocities committed by Serbs against the civilians of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo. Milosevic played the perfect villain.

In retrospect, after 9/11, I often wonder if I was fighting on the right side. The Serbs, after all, had centuries of experience in this fight. But their downfall was their brutality as evidenced by Srbrenica and the shelling of Sarajevo. That set them up as evil in the perception of the West, which time after time demonstrates its short memory.

Experiences of the past 15 years puts me now fairly solidly on the side of the Serbs, should the issue re-emerge..

[Buster Hyman]

https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/wally2-e1426408079418.jpg?quality=80&w=768&h=494&crop=1

[Hangarshuffle]

Putin. Surely someone's got more about it? Whats going on?

[CoffmanStarter]

Buster ... I hear that Putin has been catching a few waves down under at Coffs Harbour :}

[Buster Hyman]

He might do a Harold Holt then Coff....:ooh:

[AreOut]

"But their downfall was their brutality as evidenced by Srbrenica and the shelling of Sarajevo. "

I agree that Serbs on whole have made the most war crimes, but they weren't alone.

Also there were fights and war crimes between Muslims and Croats, it would be silly accusing Serbs for that too.

And jihadists in Bosnia have been doing the same to Serbs as ISIS is doing today to ordinary people of Syria&Iraq, I don't justify reaction of Serbs but I partially understand it.

[walter kennedy]

proone!!!
<<... my life is as free as one could possibly expect in a society that protects the weak and vulnerable and prevents mob rule and war lord rule.>>
er, the Taliban got the warlords under control in Afghanistan and successfully imposed law and order - the west restored the previous chaos.
Then there is the debacle in Libya - oh, and Iraq.
Serbia was the most progressive of the newly independent countries after the collapse of the Soviet Union but was just about bombed back into the stone age by the west.
I won't go into the failed states in Africa as a result of the Europeans being removed from power too precipitously.
Has it not dawned on you that anything that has tried to coalesce into a functional, sovereign nation state since 1933 has been crushed/multicultured/economically strangled?

[t43562]

since 1933? :-) oh dear.....

[Lonewolf_50]

Freedom is messy, dictatorship may bring order ... but at what cost?

Walter, are you advocating the return of dictatorships just because the transition period is messy?

Europe / The West went through a lot of messy and blood to get where we are today. One cannot expect other cultures/nations to change bloodlessly, nor overnight.

[rh200]

Freedom is messy, dictatorship may bring order ... but at what cost?

As usual, every one has a point, but as usual then countered by keeping on going too far down a dark path. The answer is an amalgamation, or convolution of methods with the right ones for the right time.

Its a balance to get things right, sometimes you stuff up. There is no shortage of examples in the gulf states that are at various stages of social evolution, in fact could extend that geographically.

The dictatorship question is an old one, yes they can be very efficient, but thy can also be extremely bad. Democracy and freedom can be just as bad if thrust upon a society to early, hell it barely functions in ones that are ready for it.:p

[Herod]

Somebody's going to quote it, so..."It has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except all those others that have been tried from time to time" Churchill, 11 Nov 47.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Having invented democracy, the Ancient Greeks realised its limitations, especially in times of crisis. They were able to suspend democracy and appoint an absolute dictator, by election, on a rolling yearly basis, until the crisis was over.

[rollrollroll]

Just to draw a very logical conclusion: Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) was bombed because of atrocities they committed after the beginning of the bombing.:yuk: