Indeed. Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO has made Kaliningrad obsolete, it's now a complete waste of Russia's resources trying to keep it fortified. I'm hoping that visits like this one are Putin signalling "don't worry, I'm going to keep on wasting those resources here!"

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 8 points 2 years ago (1 children)

The article said he flew into Kaliningrad. Anyone know the flight path? Did he fly over an unfriendly NATO country or did he take the really long and winding route over the Baltic Sea?

[–] Thorny_Insight@lemm.ee 10 points 2 years ago

I don't think he has any other options except to fly over the Baltic sea. Flying over NATO airspace would get him intercepted, forced to land and arrested.

[–] Cuttlefish1111@lemmy.world 7 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Seeing as how people gamble on virtually everything, I wonder what the odds are of his imminent death?

[–] Rose@lemmy.world 9 points 2 years ago (1 children)

He flew out of Moscow after Prigozhin announced his march to it, so it's clear he still tremendously values his life. The recent arrest and sentencing of one of his previously trusted henchmen heavily involved in the annexation of Crimea is also seen as Putin ensuring that nobody attempts to overthrow him again.

[–] hydroptic@sopuli.xyz 5 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

When Putin finally dies and if he doesn't decide to take the entire world with him (which I wouldn't exactly bet on), Russians are going to be so fucked when it comes time to transition power. Putin doesn't see any distinction between himself and Russia anymore, and he's systematically gotten rid of anyone and anything who could replace him, so when he keels over the power vacuum is going to be pretty enormous, and knowing Russians it'll probably get very messy and they'll somehow manage to replace Putin with someone who's even worse.

[–] originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com 5 points 2 years ago

based on what weve seen so far that might end this nonsense fairly quickly.

what does china have to say about it?

[–] AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space 4 points 2 years ago

If he’s planning on taking Gotland for use as a base for besieging the Baltic States, he’s going to have to hurry, as it’s almost in NATO.

[–] Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social 4 points 2 years ago

Quick! Seal the Suwalki Gap while he's not home!