Timeline of events:
Thursday, March 12, 2015: Kremlin denies persistent rumors Russian president Vladimir Putin has suffered a stroke, after the leader is not seen publicly for several days. Putin had pulled out of a scheduled conference in Kazakhstan the previous day.
Friday, March 13, 2015: Rumors begin to swirl [unconfirmed] that the all ambassadors and employees from the Russian embassy in London have vacated the premises.
The Kremlin confirms that Putin will not attend a scheduled meeting with South Ossetian president on March 18.
Estonia fears an invasion from Russia is imminent, sends troops to border, distributes pamphlets to population on what to do in case of an invasion.
The Kremlin makes a cryptic statement that an important announcement is to be made soon, asks that journalists do no disperse from Moscow over the weekend.
Social media crackles with reports of a large convoy of tractor trailers driven by men in military uniforms entering Red Square and parking near to the Kremlin.
Thursday, March 12, 2015: Kremlin denies persistent rumors Russian president Vladimir Putin has suffered a stroke, after the leader is not seen publicly for several days. Putin had pulled out of a scheduled conference in Kazakhstan the previous day.
Friday, March 13, 2015: Rumors begin to swirl [unconfirmed] that the all ambassadors and employees from the Russian embassy in London have vacated the premises.
The Kremlin confirms that Putin will not attend a scheduled meeting with South Ossetian president on March 18.
Estonia fears an invasion from Russia is imminent, sends troops to border, distributes pamphlets to population on what to do in case of an invasion.
The Kremlin makes a cryptic statement that an important announcement is to be made soon, asks that journalists do no disperse from Moscow over the weekend.
Social media crackles with reports of a large convoy of tractor trailers driven by men in military uniforms entering Red Square and parking near to the Kremlin.
[Unconfirmed]: Unidentified source begins jamming signals aimed at US Air Force frequencies.
Meanwhile, chatter erupts on frequencies used by Russian military.
Trying to monitor the Russian numbers station UVB-76 to see if there are any changes to broadcast or cryptic/coded messages. The most recent change to the buzzer station has been the addition of air raid sirens, which was first noticed late last year.
Saturday, March 14, 2015: Russian Federation flag is not seen flying over the Kremlin for second consecutive day. Absence of flag or flags lowered/flying at half mast is an internationally recognized symbol of public mourning or loss of an important government official.
More construction activity photographed in Red Square near to the Kremlin, ostensibly for Crimean Referendum celebrations.
Still no sighting of Vladimir Putin in public, and still no official announcement from the Kremlin, even after the press was advised not to leave Moscow for the weekend break.
"Beware the Ides of March," which falls on Sunday, March 15 this year! It would seem very much like Putin to have a fascination with Julius Caesar and have a "mystery" arranged to unfold in the days leading up to the date in order to keep the world guessing about what his next move might possibly be...
Sunday, March 15: Reports coming out of Moscow that the Kremlin, which is a normally well-illuminated landmark during the night, has gone completely dark. Live web cam footage apparently does show the walls of the Kremlin unlit, in contrast to the surrounding area.
Today marks the ninth day Putin has not been seen publicly.
Now, incredibly, there are reports of a fire at the Novodevichy Ascension Monastery located at the Kremlin:
Monday, March 16: State run television station announces that Putin is bedridden with a serious cold by way of explaining his disappearance from the public eye for a tenth consecutive day. The news comes as Russian media is scheduled to broadcast a pre-recorded interview with the leader, where he reportedly talks about the nation's nuclear readiness and the current conflicts in the Ukraine and Crimea.
Will update the blog as warranted:
Meanwhile, chatter erupts on frequencies used by Russian military.
Trying to monitor the Russian numbers station UVB-76 to see if there are any changes to broadcast or cryptic/coded messages. The most recent change to the buzzer station has been the addition of air raid sirens, which was first noticed late last year.
Saturday, March 14, 2015: Russian Federation flag is not seen flying over the Kremlin for second consecutive day. Absence of flag or flags lowered/flying at half mast is an internationally recognized symbol of public mourning or loss of an important government official.
More construction activity photographed in Red Square near to the Kremlin, ostensibly for Crimean Referendum celebrations.
Still no sighting of Vladimir Putin in public, and still no official announcement from the Kremlin, even after the press was advised not to leave Moscow for the weekend break.
"Beware the Ides of March," which falls on Sunday, March 15 this year! It would seem very much like Putin to have a fascination with Julius Caesar and have a "mystery" arranged to unfold in the days leading up to the date in order to keep the world guessing about what his next move might possibly be...
Sunday, March 15: Reports coming out of Moscow that the Kremlin, which is a normally well-illuminated landmark during the night, has gone completely dark. Live web cam footage apparently does show the walls of the Kremlin unlit, in contrast to the surrounding area.
Today marks the ninth day Putin has not been seen publicly.
Now, incredibly, there are reports of a fire at the Novodevichy Ascension Monastery located at the Kremlin:
Monday, March 16: State run television station announces that Putin is bedridden with a serious cold by way of explaining his disappearance from the public eye for a tenth consecutive day. The news comes as Russian media is scheduled to broadcast a pre-recorded interview with the leader, where he reportedly talks about the nation's nuclear readiness and the current conflicts in the Ukraine and Crimea.
Will update the blog as warranted: