Careful readers of this site will recall my characterization of the brief resignation of Doku Umarov as a Russian information operation.

The effect of the action was to force an assortment of Chechen leaders to rush to release statements - Doku had to rescind his resignation, and then the other emirs had to release statements acknowledging that he was still their leader.

And now?

Russians kill top Caucasus Emirate leader

Coincidence? Perhaps. But don't be too surprised if Movladi Udugov is unexpectedly "martyred" sometime soon.

NEXT!