My sister-in law was born & raised in Russia (in Pskov)...Putin is still very popular with the ethnicities in Russia that matter, primarily the non-asiatic peoples. Most westerners have no clue about the ethnic & religious diversity in Russia. The country almost REQUIRES a dictator backed by lots of guys with guns & shit to function 2 steps above complete anarchy/state-of-nature-Hobbes-style. Putin is Uber-smart and his ruthlessness evolves from his intelligence because he sees when it is completely necessary to be that way. His biggest problems are not in the Caucasus region with Islamic shitheads; the biggest problems he faces are the fact that Ukrainian men are bigger drunks than your typical Russian male and therefore, not open to compromise...and that Ukrainian women are extremely hot and inspire jealousy amongst women in cities like Moscow.