Alexander, it reminds the world that Russia is a mobster-run state.

When the time arrives for Putin's departure, the transition of power will be uncertain and messy.

We have been rightly concerned about the plight of Ukraine, but the unraveling of Russia could be more serious. I fear we need to pay more attention.

Re: your recent piece on the Ukraine war. This week's Economist has a guardedly positive article, "Ukraine's counter-offensive is making progress, slowly."

Best.