Remember: PUTIN is KGB - always was, always will be!
I don't know why everyone is so shocked.
Honestly, old habits die hard, the Russkies were mortal enemies for 50 years. Many people forget this.
They never even pretended to be "allies" (unlike turncoats France, Germany). I don't even recall a thank you for the Yeltsin era money we sank into their economy to fund new, improved russian mobsters...hehe.
While this Russian activity in Iraq ticks me off...it doesn't impact me the same as the French and German betrayal. Guess I'm just used to rascally Russians. I always assume the worst with 'em and am occasionally suprised, but only occasionally.
Plus, I am sure there is much more going on we don't know about. I hate to sound like an apologist for the Republic formerly known as "Soviet Union", but c'mon, to think the old reds turned into our buddies overnight is naive. I have no doubt that the russians were helping Saddam, but it doesn't tick me off near as much as the French and Germans helping Saddam....
maybe thats wierd, but that's my honest opinion. I expect the Russians will be up to this sort of thing for several more decades...