You have to feel sorry for the Russians. They are always exploited by a ruling class and fed a lot of BS by said ruling class.
Nonsense. If they are exploited by their rulers it is because the majority of them consistently CHOOSE to be exploited. They have proved that they are capable of overthrowing their rulers so if they are content under any given exploitative despot, and they certainly seem happy with Putin, one can hardly feel sorry for them.
Instead save your sympathy for the millions of non Russians who have fallen victim to the Russian predilection for cruel and despotic leaders.
“People get the government they deserve.”—le Comte de Maistre