[foxyv]

I get the impression that Putin was on the edge of losing Russia before Ukraine. Ukraine may be a final ploy for him to stay in power. Wartime crack downs, crippling political rivals with loss of large foreign assets, insulating Russia from external media, cutting domestic media, mobilizing troops and reserves. All of this cements a shaky position which was being undermined by foreign and domestic political groups.

We'll see how the gamble goes. We may see Russia become North Korea 2.0 with the Putin family as the new Tzars of Russia. Or maybe a second governmental collapse is imminent.