[Jedi Master Pikachu]

1. Probably the latter.
2. Could this actually be an attempt by people against Putin to discredit him?
3. Barring that, it seems a rather overt way of removing opposition. Killing people off for all the world to see.

[pax_et_bonum]

Intimidation can effectively remove opposition.

[B. Chezwick]

I think the whole point is for the world to see what going against Putin will get you.