Aren't ordinary Russian people fairly supportive of the Russian imperialism? Didn't Putin have a very strong improvement in ratings in 2014, when first meddling with Ukraine's affairs? Around half of Russians were positive about the current invasion days before it started (and went well south from there). Keep in mind, we talk about one of their most brotherly nations out there.

It's sad in some universal way but I'm far from feeling empathetic. It's been too much abuse.