"...to gin up more local support..." LOL. Putin has enough support. This aint the 90's, buddy.
What you call an "invasion" is ongoing. AFU's great counter offensive has failed miserably, and they have been on the backfoot ever since, losing more and more territories to the Russians. It's a fact.
Your "approval rating" narrative is false. As of February 2024, Putin's approval rating is 86% according to the Levada Centre (polling agency). https://www.levada.ru/en/ratings/
Before you dismiss Levada Centre's info, Levada Centre is considered as a "foreign agent" in Russia. It was/is being financed by the National Endowment for Democracy (which is basicaly CIA front organisation).
So, 86% approval rating. Why would he need more?
Your whole "FSB did it" narrative is false and will never stick. People running CIPsO know that.
