A Mystery Bettor With a Ukrainian Flag Just Wagered $400,000 That Putin Falls This Year — the Payout if He’s Right: $2.5 Million

An anonymous Polymarket user — nicknamed "ZnotluvuiSamez," flying a Ukrainian flag avatar — has bet $409,000 that Putin will be out of power by December 31. The odds say 12%. The payout if he's right: as much as $2.5 million. Another gambler has $61,000 riding on Russia losing Crimea. It's part of a booming, controversial world of geopolitical betting — one where a U.S. soldier was just charged for winning $400,000 on Maduro's capture using insider information.