Enlightened1, I lived in Russia between 2015-17. A new Cold War is precisely what the regime wants and the average population is conflicted.
On one hand, they want a go at avenging the collapse of the Soviet Union, but on the other hand they want a better economy, some variety in their elections, and for corruption to be gone. (Every sphere of life from getting a parking ticket to getting a passport stamped is wrought with bribery and corruption.)
They also want more territory back.
In a matter of days, the Russian population is going to vote 90% for Putin and two candidates more hawkish than him. He is the safe moderate in the race. Your statement that “the average population is conflicted” is untrue.
They may be conflicted over a new Cold War, but there's no way they're conflicted over Putin. They love that guy.
I always knew when our local Putinists would be forced to choose between Trump and Putin they would pick KGB Vlad. They are as self loathing as any Democrat. Ha ha.