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It's a profitable time to be a Russian soccer hooligan.
With a highly-politicised World Cup just a few months away, they can currently demand a large sum of money from a foreign TV crew for the simple task of explaining how to repeatedly kick and punch people.
The level of interest in these types of thugs skyrocketed after the European Championships in France in 2016, when so-called Russian ultras went on a rampage attacking England supporters.
But if you are a genuine street-brawling hooligan — and there are claims some of the people posing for these sorts of appearances are not — then seeking the spotlight is not without risk.
Police and intelligence agencies are watching — closely.
So much so, the broad feeling among several of Mr Putin's supporters, his opponents, soccer clubs and even Australian diplomats in Moscow is that not many Russian hooligans will be brave, or foolish, enough to try to play up during the World Cup.
They all know the Kremlin wants nothing to spoil this great PR opportunity, for the tournament will shine a spotlight on Russia and its President at a time when the country is being increasingly isolated by the international community.
Mr Putin's administration will use the event to try to convince visitors that despite all the diplomatic rows over a poisoned ex-spy, US election meddling and its actions in Ukraine, Russia isn't such a bad place.
Mr Putin will bathe in the attention and any positive coverage — he's already appeared in a promotional video with soccer stars.
If a few stubborn hooligans have to be pre-emptively arrested for the duration of the cup to protect the nation's reputation a bit, then many Russians will think, so what?
After all, it's not a country known for its human rights record or tolerance of dissent.
There is of course the very real risk of terrorism. Due to Russia's recent actions in the Middle East it is seen by Islamic State sympathisers as a target and the long-standing tensions in Chechnya still simmer.
There's also the chance of fans behaving foolishly. Australian diplomats are already urging Socceroos' supporters to put their best foot forward, warning loutish, drunken behaviour will be swiftly and very firmly dealt with.
And right now many important, valid questions about the tournament are being raised by politicians and media outlets.
Top of the list is — should such a big, prestigious global event really be held in Russia right now?
But when it comes to fan safety, almost everyone on the ground is convinced security around games and in host cities will be incredibly tight.
If the Kremlin can comfortably control the outcome of a supposedly democratic presidential election and quietly clamp down on any opposition movements, then surely it has a solid chance of pulling off an event like this without too many major problems.
Topics: soccer, sport, foreign-affairs, russian-federation