From what I read, the Russian economy is terrible. The virus ran out of control. The government is run by favoritism and corruption. Putin rules by the oppression and intimidation of any opposition. He has the army, and a large bunch of thugs on his side.

The main source of his income is from oil and gas. He has a lot of that and wants to use it as leverage. His only role in the world is to be a disrupter. Otherwise, he would be another Nigeria. A corrupt government living on oil and gas and corruption, but with no standing in the world.