Putin Fends Off Fire And Fury, At Home And Abroad
Russia's government has used the Siberian mall fire and diplomatic expulsions to help portray Putin is the only man who can protect and lead Russia through tough times.
Just a week ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin was basking in an election victory that gave him a strong mandate for another six years in power.
But within days of thanking his fellow Russians for handing him nearly 77 percent of the vote, Putin is now dealing one of the biggest challenges of his 18-year rule.
At home, grief has turned into anger over a fire in a shopping mall in Siberia on Sunday that killed 64 people. And internationally, Russia is facing increasing isolation after the United States and two dozen countries this week expelled more than 100 Russian diplomats to protest the poisoning
