[cwillu]

If I understood correctly, the leader was (originally?) claiming to be attacking an element in the military leadership he felt was responsible for a major friendly fire incident. It appears things have progressed from there, and it's possible or even likely that a coup is and always was the intent, but it's not _certain_.

[jiggywiggy]

Yeah he is being smart, positioning himself as pro Russian. Which he probably is. But doesn't not make it a coup.

Putin calling him a traitor is a death sentence. If he didn't already plan to, now his only option seems to be to move against Putin.

In don't see how they can both stay in power for much longer. One of them has to go.