See above. What in the hell is Russia doing?

First they get grumpy about gas exports and cutting entire countries off, then we have them deciding to resume long range bomber patrols (heading towards the UK at least one time and probably more), then we have the mysterious case of a journalist who was a fierce critic of Putin and his politics, resurfacing a year later.

What are they? Perhaps more importantly, why are they doing it? Is someone threatening them? Is Putin flexing his muscles for a reason? What do they want?

So far all I've seen is Russia rattling sabers, but why are they doing it? The last thing we need at the moment is the beginning of another cold war.

Maybe they have managed to come up with some technological breakthrough which they believe will give them a massive advantage? Maybe they have realised that for the most part, unless the USA has another space shuttle up its sleeve (and I don't think they do) the one they have is the last one and if something should happen to it, the USA will be dependent on Russia for transporting people into and out of space.

Interesting, but difficult and ever so slightly scary.