“While they make up a large % of FReepers..”
There is a contingent of Putin supporters on FR, though not a large percentage of FReepers, by any means. However, the number of isolationists has grown, and they unfortunately, though maybe unintentionally, find themselves on the side of Putin in some cases.
Many of these isolationists will say they are not pro-Putin, but then seem to be very aggressive at putting down most everything the US has done and has been in the last century, while never specifying anything they dislike about Putin, and often supporting him. Nor do they seem to have any long term perspective.
If they could just offer some balance, I might accept your premise, otherwise for the most part I find the “unintentional” a bit hard to swallow. Effectively, they are part of the “%”. :-(
As a general comment about the article, I’d say “splintering” is typical MSM hype. But, there is rift developing.