So, in this scenario, unmasking Luzhkov as corrupt and incompetent, and using him as a scapegoat for Russia’s systemic inefficiency, is intended as a way for Medvedev to sway public opinion behind him and make Putin appear out of touch. The problem, though, is that Medvedev, like Luzhkov, was also mostly invisible during the summer’s disastrous heat wave, whereas Putin was everywhere, even piloting fire-fighting airplanes over burning forests.