It is not a composite country. It is very fragile and filled with anguish which is ever more palpable the longer you stay. (And draining to be honest...its no wonder problems like alcoholism while improved is still pretty bad in parts.)
And that is where Putin’s popularity comes from: fear of falling apart...
But they also need to realize they are capable without him...they need faith in themselves. Russians lack it right now. And that is why Putin is still there.
They are capable without him.
To become a real country, they need to take an honest look at the past and decide who they are.
Putin in many ways, is a transitional figure. Whether that leads to real change in Russia after he is gone, remains to be seen.