Then again, none have yet shown up on this thread. Perhaps there are too many cold hard facts to “explain away”.
We should also make it clear that we’re referring to the hardcore Putin supporters, not those that may have been swayed or duped by them into thinking Putin’s expansionism is a ‘good’ thing for the US and its allies.
The true Putinistas defend and support Putin on EVERYTHING, including his efforts to retake Eastern Europe. But I doubt even all of them are being paid by the Russians. Some are probably just out of their minds, and/or terminally stupid.