Putin’s name has become a byword for cowardice

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Alexei Navalny is remembered in St Petersburg (AP)

Alexei Navalny’s name will become a byword for courage. Vladimir Putin’s just became one for cowardice.

Russia has a tradition of admiring strong men. They had one in Navalny. They have just discovered that they have a weakling and a coward in Putin. Every household and every soldier in Russia knows that tonight.

Putin has indeed struck a killing blow: to himself.