Hell Man, Putin does not want any issues. Moreover, today he and his hand-toy Dima are face to face with probable revolution inside the country. So, any wars outside - what can be worse for them? Putin is a lead of the gangs, crooks and theives, the only thing that he needs - don't stop getting money from taxes, gas, wood and oil. War means the end of this beautiful life for him. One of the most recent phrases by Putin "Do not shake the boat!"
James, my native language is Russian and Ukrainian, so I did not catch this athorism. The only thing that I can say - our Russian government people don't want to do their best for army - almost all that you hear as renovation is the way to launder money or to steal something. I know what I am talking about - I had spent 12 years in Russian Armed Forces