You must have never lived in Russia post Soviet Union nor experienced how much worse it is to be spouting this crap. No one believes Putin is a genius - but in fact the country was so badly ruined under Yeltsin and Oligarchical capitalism-free-for-all that Putin appeared to people as the best possible option of these.
What followed the USSR was a wild west free for all bringing out the worst of capitalism, with even more corruption and organised crime taking over daily lives of just about everyone. It is tragic and sad that Russia could not transition to a modern economy like some Eastern European countries done.
Putin loves to push the story that without him Russia will go back to the bad old days of "democracy and capitalism" of the 90s, and that his way is the only way forward. The whole thing is awful similar to what was argued in Germany in 30s btw.
I'm definitely not arguing in support of Putin here - what I'm saying is two things:
a) the popular support of Putin is understandable in the face of recent history.
b) Quality of life in Russia today is well below what it was in the 1980's (ask any of the 99%).
Other than that it might as well be one type of state sponsored propaganda replaced by another.
Now I'm in US. Fuck them.