Putin does care what the Russian citizen think of him, why do you think he has strengthen his crack down on dissident who are mainly youngsters in recent years from days jail sentences to now 3-5 years. He thinks showing his military strength to prove his "nationalism" is something his citizen are still impressed by and keep him in power.
This used to work in the 19t and 20th century but not now in the 21 century with the global economy and youngsters used to social media, why do you think so many young and educated Russian are migrating to other countries. Same thing is happening in China, youngster don't like these dictatorship and censorship and there will be a catalyst for them to cause a revolute with civil unrest. This has happened to all dictators in the end but mainly due to economy but these would be different in Russia and China in the 21st century, Xi is watching this and will take noticed of the global youth movement.
