I always enjoy your insights into Russian life. It's rare to get the unvarnished truth about it because anything Russian is always wrapped up in propoganda, both theirs and ours.

I too noticed Putin's sudden return to vigorous health and wondered about it. I have luckily not had a lot of experience with cancer in my close circle of family and friends so I was unaware that his present glowing health could be a warning sign that the end is near. Explains a lot.