I will go to my grave thinking that Putin would have never invaded Ukraine had he been able to host his monthly “kiss my ring” cerimonies/parties with his cronies. Instead he self isolated for 2+ years and he still mostly is.
That does seem to have some acceptance among people who (seem to) know what's going on. During the worst of the pandemic, nobody could meet with Putin without undergoing significant quarantine time first. Some reports say it was a matter of weeks.
As a result only the most hardcore of the hardcore yes-men were granted an audience with the Little Czar. Competence, economic and military knowledge, and sound judgement were complete non-factors.