For more than two decades, Putin very deftly traded in the ashes of his ancestors. Every year the Russian president served up to the Russian people the victory of the Soviet Union over Hitler's Germany as his own personal achievement. The Russian people were proud of their leader.
- Glory to the great leader! — shouted Russian Vanya, downing a glass of industrial alcohol and kissing a portrait of putin.
The Russian leader understood that the Russian person loves to be proud of the fictional merits of his ancestors, so Russian propaganda very often told of the unprecedented feats of the forefathers,
explaining that Putin is an obvious admirer of old traditions and, if need be, can repeat it "like the grandads".
