Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on Thursday in Moscow.

DLNews  World at War:

In a move that could easily be mistaken for a plot twist in a Cold War-themed dark comedy, Russian President Vladimir Putin, aged 71 and not mellowing with age, has yet again flexed his nuclear muscles in what might be the most dramatic episode since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The ongoing war in Ukraine has not only resurrected the ghost of geopolitical tensions past but has also provided Putin with a new platform for his theatrics.

Just when you thought election season in Russia couldn't get any more 'exciting,' Putin, two weeks shy of what can be loosely termed a 'presidential election' and fresh from mourning the controversial death of his critic Alexei Navalny, decided it was the perfect moment to address the nation. What followed was less a speech and more an open mic night for threats against the West, with Putin taking the stage as the evening's headliner.

In a particularly spicy moment, Putin scolded those who dared to consider sending Western troops to Ukraine. In his youthful naivety at 46, French President Emmanuel Macron didn't escape Putin's fatherly admonishment. According to Putin, anyone foolish enough to tread on Russian soil with military boots would face "tragic" consequences. This term here seems to mean 'dramatically worse than that history lesson you ignored.' He then casually escalated things by reminding the world of Russia's capacity to obliterate targets in Western territories, hinting at a fallout that could very well end with the credits rolling for civilization as we know it.

With a dash of mockery, Putin tut-tutted the West for its apparent amnesia about the horrors of war, suggesting that Westerners might think of war as something akin to a Saturday morning cartoon, significantly underestimating the Russian daily digest of conflict.

Notably absent from Putin's narrative was any mention of Russia's initial expectation to be done with Ukraine by brunch two years ago or the "minor" detail of the staggering losses endured by his military. Instead, Putin found time to heap praise on Russian soldiers for their role in what he conveniently omitted to label as an illegal invasion, painting them as heroes in a battle for freedom while glossing over the mass civilian casualties they've inflicted.

The moment of silence for fallen Russian soldiers almost made one forget they were part of an aggressive war campaign, not some noble crusade. And in a twist that would have satirical writers taking notes, Putin lauded the shift to a war economy and the unwavering support of the Russian people, all while promising to bolster Russian democracy — a promise as believable as a promise of modesty from a peacock.

In an almost comedic conclusion to his performance, Putin boasted of the war's progress, conveniently omitting the hundreds of thousands of Russian casualties and the lack of any significant domestic backlash. The Russian opposition movement, leaderless after Navalny's death, appears to be the only group not getting a mention in Putin's victory lap.

In this latest chapter of Putin's saga, the blend of threats, omissions, and dark comedy paints a picture of a leader not just at odds with the West but seemingly in a parallel reality where war is a show of strength and democracy is a punchline. One can only hope the audience — both domestic and international — sees through the act.