I compare the Barbarossa decal on with the pearl harbor attack. Germany and Japan knew the Soviets and US were getting stronger. I believe Stalin would have attacked in late summer 42 after getting new tanks and planes. I do NOT believe Suvarov and his claim Stalin was going to attack in June 41.
Both decisions were a roll of the dice. Both lost badly.
Russian history explains Putin. Russia has always been ruled by strong, not necessarily good leaders. Some of his decisions are to keep his nationalists base happy, no different than most other politician. Some make no sense at all but really the intent of Russia/SU since the Bolshevik coup in ‘17 seems to be to restore the old Russian empire. Just some random thoughts.
Stalin wasn't a dogmatic Communist, like Lenin and Trotsky. He used it for his own personal ambition, in a way, he was more of a "National Socialist", like Hitler. Whereas Lenin and Trotsky encouraged multiculturalism in the Soviet Union, Stalin wanted "Russification", giving priority to ethnic Russians (despite Stalin being an ethnic Georgian).
In Russia they now see the Mongol “yoke” as more a cooperation with the Mongols. And they continue the Mongol political tradition of a great khan.