The Times floats three scenarios for the aftermath of Moscow concert hall attack

The recent terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall shopping centre has exposed the precarious position of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the unpreparedness of Russia's security apparatus to meet the challenges.

According to The Times, the events show how Putin's grip on events in Russia is slipping. The publication notes that the war in Ukraine has robbed him of his narrow vision, and Russians who saw him as a trusted leader now fear for their future.

The Times describes three possible scenarios for the aftermath of a terrorist attack in Russia:

• Russia could portray the attack as a false flag operation to whip up public anger against Ukraine and legitimise general mobilisation;
• Putin can use the terrorist attack to freeze the war against Ukraine and focus on the war against terrorism;
• The Russian president has already lost control and allowed internal strife to take over.

"The return of Islamist terror to Russia was both predictable and ignored. Putin's intervention in Syria to prop up the butcher Assad has won him few friends. The Central Asian republics sense his weakness. ... Putin will step up intelligence sharing on ISIS with Türkiye, China, Iran and North Korea," notes The Times.