Open Thread: The Bear Is Loose? [Y-not]

Something's up in Russia.

One of the first signs of that was a report by Kremlin-controlled television about a meeting between Putin and Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev... that had not happened yet. (It's scheduled to occur Monday.)

Looks like the Kremlin got a hold of the Ace of Spades HQ Time Machine!

More from Business Insider:

But these are not normal times in Russia. Putin hasn't been seen in public for over a week. This prolonged absence has sparked rumors that Russia's long-serving national leader is ill. Or has been deposed in a coup. Or is dead. Or is visiting his alleged lover, the "extremely flexible gymnast," Alina Kabaeva, who reportedly gave birth to a baby Putin in Switzerland today. Take your pick.

Rossiya 24's inadvertent act of fortune-telling has already been labeled "Guests from the Future" on social media, a reference to a well-loved Soviet children's film. But beneath the laughter, there is concern that Russia could be on the edge of another one of the cataclysmic events that seem to swing around these parts every few years.

Was Rossiya 24's report on Putin's meeting prepared in advance, because the Kremlin knew he would not be attending? Was it part of a cover up that was inadvertently aired ahead of time? Either way, it's added to a general atmosphere of confusion and apprehension in Russia right now.

**UPDATE: For those unwilling to go to BI, here are links to similar stories at The New York Times and CNN. The latter reports on images Russian TV showed of Putin, but could not independently verify them.

So the bear is not only loose, he may be dead. Or something else altogether.

Open thread.

posted by Open Blogger at 03:38 PM

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