A SPECIALIST claims that a’revealing’ discussion between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his defence minister transmitted a clear message – but not the one he expected.

Russian media televised a painstakingly orchestrated dialogue between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, in which the two talked and pondered on the conflict’s problems.

“We must constantly consider, but especially in this instance – about saving the lives and health of our soldiers and officers,” Putin told Shoigu.

“Please submit recommendations for honouring our exceptional warriors for state prizes,” the President stated, adding to his’supposed’ concern with the wellbeing of his troops on the ground.

“It is obvious that in such scenarios it cannot be different; these are extraordinary circumstances.”

The broadcast, according to Leonid Volkov, chief of staff to imprisoned Russian opposition campaigner Alexey Navalny, is a “revealing moment.”

Volkov went on to say that Putin’s public statements are always tailored to what they want to hear.

“Almost every time Putin says something in public, it is the consequence of the presidential administration taking public opinion measurements and concluding that it is now required to speak in order to score political points.”