Unraveling Putin's Vulnerability: Failed Mutiny and Weakening Grip

Since the dramatic insurrection by the Wagner Group, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a series of unusual public appearances in an apparent attempt to restore his authority. He addressed the nation, praised the military, and presented himself as the man who averted major bloodshed. Putin then visited Dagestan, where he was mobbed by an adoring crowd, possibly to demonstrate his support. He attended a business conference in Moscow, receiving a standing ovation, and even found time to doodle on an interactive whiteboard. Despite the positive imagery, the rebellion had taken the Kremlin by surprise, posing a threat to Putin's authority with unclear long-term consequences.