Russia is freer and more conservative nation than we are now. Anyone can go on YouTube and see what life is like there.
I see no evidence that Putin would invade or annex a nation or part of one unless it was in self-defense or unless the people there wanted to become part of Russia.
OMG, you are completely clueless or dishonest to reality in Russia. How is Russia freer than the US when you have no right to assembly and speech in Russia? Its almost impossible for the opposition to get a permit to protest in Russia.
Freedom of religion in Russia does not exist. The Russian government is harassing Protestants, Evangelical Christians and Orthodox that do not follow the Moscow Patriarch.
"In practice, however, this right is severely limited both de jure and de facto by federal legislation, an array of regional and local regulations, and an opaque system of bureaucracy. As IMR’s March report on protest trends noted: “Today, there exists a web of criminal and administrative laws that punish participation in unsanctioned protests while also making it incredibly difficult for organizers to receive a permit for protests.”
https://imrussia.org/en/analysis/3205-more-limits-proposed-on-freedom-of-assembly-in-russia
"Now even those staging peaceful, one-person pickets are regularly detained in Russia."
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46702417
"Six-year prison sentence for Jehovah's Witness in Russia sparks outcry" https://religionnews.com/2019/02/08/six-year-prison-sentence-for-jehovahs-witness-in-russia-sparks-outcry/
"Russia's Newest Law: No Evangelizing Outside of Church" https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2016/june/no-evangelizing-outside-of-church-russia-proposes.html