Dayuhan---I have said since the beginning of the Crimea here at SWC a number of times that the entire issue of the colored revolts/Maidan is a serious threat to both Russia and Putin.

The Duma has passed this week a series of what I would call anti Maidan laws against demonstrations, rallies etc. and have tightened controls on the social media and the internet as a result of the Maidann.

Taken from todays Daily Beast:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...le-defeat.html

Strelkov’s mission in Ukraine, whoever gave it to him, has been bigger than just the defense of the DPR. Strelkov claims to be defending Putin’s reputation and power in Russia, too. In an interview with The Daily Beast on Thursday, Strelkov adviser Druzd spoke about the importance of Russians coming to Donbass in order to prevent a revolution like the Maidan in Kiev from spreading to Moscow.

“Putin’s popularity is fading away, since nobody has stopped the slaughter of Russians in Donbass," Druzd said. “The president’s approval rating is much lower in Moscow and St. Petersburg than in the provinces. As we know, revolutions—both French and October—were done in capitals; unfortunately, we cannot exclude attempts of the Maidan type of protests in Moscow,” Druzd explained. “For now Russia mostly sends us information and humanitarian help,” he said, when what the rebels need to defend Russian interests is “significant military support.”

Dangerous talk, certainly. As anyone who knows Putin knows, Russia’s president does not respond well to threats. If Strelkov pushes too far, he could find himself a lone gunman in a very lonely war.