Member-only story
Putin is at a military facility where he has gone to address fresh troops headed for the battle front in Ukraine.
He has already given a speech and now is walking past a formation of soldiers holding their rifles at attention.
As he goes by NIkolai L. — a 21 y/o electrician apprentice and new conscript — the young soldier speaks out.
N — Mr President?
Putin stops and looks at him, surprised at the irreverence, for Nikolai is in formation and should not have spoken.
Putin — What is it, soldier?
Nikolai — Tell me that I’ll be able to have sex with my wife again.
Putin steps up to the soldier to stand opposite him.
Putin — Did you not hear the speech I just gave?
N — I did. And I’m afraid I won’t be able to make love to my wife again.
Putin — We must make sacrifices for Russia. It is our obligation.
A Commanding Officer who had lagged behind quickly catches up to the two men, aghast at the soldier’s audacity and ready to silence him.
N (to Putin) — We had not been threatened by Ukraine… and yet you have sacrificed many of our people for your own dream.
Commanding Officer (Shouting to Nikolai) — Stop!
Putin (calmly) — I am…
