People very often come up with all manner of empty-headed conspiracy theories because people want to believe there's more to human existence than endless blind stupidity, avarice, cowardice, and yet more blind stupidity. Preghozin got angry, over-reached, didn't have a meaningful plan, realized he was out of his depth, stood down, and soon will be dead regardless of whatever assurances he received. Putin is dramatically weakened but can survive provided he is able to crush all potential opponents quickly. In the end, we must hope this simply hastens the end of Russia as a nation and speeds up the collapse into a number of smaller countries, each ruled by a thuggish overlord devoted to looting whatever he can get his hands on. As for nuclear security, no one today can believe that Russian nuclear devices are safe in Russian hands; thuggish warlords will be more open to trading nukes for cash and so the world will be safer. It's sad that our "leaders" can't grasp this basic fact.