[A. Pole]

Arrogant bastards want people to know they murder whoever they feel like murdering, and Putin is and always has been the lowest sort of snake.

You logic is circular. You think that Putin ordered idiotic crimes because he is a nasty (and stupid) "snake", and this that he ordered it proves that his is indeed such a character.A because B and B because of A.

If he wanted to play such game he would start with Zakayev. It would be more useful and would gain more respect.

[JasonC]

No, I know he is a snake because he does things like sell nukes to the worst criminals on the planet then covers their backsides diplomatically. That he also arrests exiles and murders his domestic opponents is just character acting filler. Destroying civilization as far as in him lies, heads the bill of indictment. He is a snake, he always has been a snake, he's on a rocket sled to a warm place and grabbing all the souls he can for the fryer. Yours included.

[MarMema]

If he wanted to play such game he would start with Zakayev.

Maybe. It's definitely a thought. One I admit to not minding actually.