It must hurt Putin to say that. How can Russia ever possibly be strong again? 20,000 nukes are useless for this.
Putin knows there was no way Russia could have prevented this tragedy, barring some bit of good luck. But I think Russians will be DEMANDING for retaliation in some overwhelming, one-sided use of force that will leave the Chechens in "shock and awe", and the EU in utter disbelief.