Indeed.
Considering Russia and the Ottoman Empire fought more wars than I can count, ending in 1914-18, I have to wonder how Putin is going to play this.
As a strong supporter of the Orthodox churches, I have to think Putin is taking a very dim view of converting Hagia Sophia back to a mosque.
I doubt KGB officer Putin cares at all. But by enthusiastically turning the Russian people back to their church, a much more effective unifying bond than Communism ever could be, he certainly set the stage for his people to demand action.