The Russian president has popped up on TV screens multiple times since last weekend's dramatic events - but to what end?
Where's Vladimir Putin? That's what we were wondering most of Monday - two days after a dramatic insurrection by the Wagner Group that saw a convoy of mercenary fighters headed to Moscow.
Then late into the evening, an announcement is made. "Standby: President Putin will address the nation." Now it feels like the Kremlin leader is playing catch-up. Remember that controversy I was talking about? He doesn't address that. But, hey, Russia has stepped back from the brink. That's the main thing.On Monday he was playing catch-up. By Tuesday morning it's full steam ahead to try to restore his authority.
In other words, the visual messaging here is all about presenting Russia as a country uniting behind Vladimir Putin. It's almost as if they want Russians to think that the Church, the military, and the president are interlinked, even part of one whole. Putin's behaviour seems so out of character. On the other hand, nothing feels particularly normal any more in Russia.
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