re: #337 Nyet

Lots of the reporting on Russia these days reminds one of the worst days of “Sovietology”, when “experts” were making far-reaching conclusions based on what the Soviet leaders were wearing or how they stood on the Mausoleum. Even the Interpreter Magazine succumbed to this, quoting an anonymous Ukrainian blogger’s analysis as if it were worth something.

True that; Surkov & family could be on vacation, and Aslund just another guy making stuff up:

@anders_aslund: Clearest indication so far: Putin’s aide on Ukraine Vladislav Surkov flew suddenly w family to Hong Kong = Putin losing & Ukraine policy key