[Cheburashka]

But I really wonder why Putin's people propound these theories. What is he trying to gain? Why doesn't he just say, "OK, so I offed him. What are you gonna do about it?"
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What proof is there that he or anybody under his orders did it? It seems to be just assumed.

If there's no proof the Russians did it, perhaps they didn't?

[GSlob]

No further proofs are needed. The kegebuns exist and operate under presumption of guilt.

[A. Pole]

If there's no proof the Russians did it, perhaps they didn't?

There is NO WAY Putin could have ordered such stupid and harmful act. As Machiavelli said: the skillful politician do not make OBVIOUS mistakes. (Non-obvious mistakes everybody can make).

It is quite likely that the Litvinenko death was an accident taking place among deranged people playing with dangerous toys. But if there was a real conspiracy, the most likely it was done in order to damage Russian government. The key could be the failed assassination of former prime minister Gaidar. Gaidar was the main proponent of 1990s free market reforms and his death could be used against Putin in a much more powerful way..

When Gaidar managed to survived, he did not want Western doctors to help him. He fled immediately to the Russian embassy and then flew to Russia. This strange event must have made him rethink his allegiances.