Putin says Russia has approved 'world first' Covid-19 vaccine (opens in new tab)

I feel sorry for all the Russians who would fell for this worlds-first geopolitical stunt!

A lot of people are criticizing Russia and Putin for this action. I see this differently: Russia is a militaristic country, and it has been one for about a thousand years or so. Putin is its current czar. Putin and the rest of Russia's leadership perceive that the country is at war. Not an open, declared war with the West, but a war nonetheless. This is a war action. Putin talked with his advisors and weighed the pros and the cons. Cons: some people might die. Pros: if this thing works, Russia opens up the economy half a year ahead of the rest of the world. They also end up exporting this vaccine, and this in itself could be profitable. They gain prestige. In war time you risk people's lives. But overall, if the pros outweigh the cons, as a war-time leader you simply say "Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead".