Russia's invasion of Ukraine has forced once-neutral countries to join NATO - exactly the opposite of Putin's goal. He believes his own propaganda, so expected to be welcomed as a liberator, not repelled as an invader. He has unified Ukraine and made a "Brother Nation" into an implacable enemy, again the opposite of what he wanted. Putin is effectively insane, so out of touch with reality that he cannot make rational decisions. That is a problem for Ukraine, but it is also a problem for ordinary Russians.

I'm glad you got out when you did.