I find all this very interesting.
The Russians just can't get this revolution thing right.
The first revolution was captured by the Bolshavics and that was captured by Stalin. When Gorbachev saw the light and actually began change, the ologarchs took over and stripped all the national assets, depositing the proceeds in Switzerland (and in Gore/Clinton accounts ala marc rich). To counter the oligarchs, a mafia, a criminal confederaton gained the upper hand.
Into all this Putin thrust himself. He has no one to counton except the old line agency. He is in a really tough spot.
Even if he knows what the result should look like he can't get there because there are too many serious obstacles in the way.
There must be death and lots of it before the democratic revolution can progress.
Very good analysis. Putin is not, however, a communist, as a look at his economic policies and support of Christianity (including a return to prayer in public schools and work toward eliminating abortion) easily reveals.