A little late to be having a mid-life crisis, but that is exactly what this looks like.
Dying guy feels the shadow of his own mortality sht.
Looks to dubious greatness of Russian leaders past and says to himself, I need to leave my sht stain on the world too.
Putin started the shooin’, and he can end it by startin’ the scootin’!
In other words, I’ve said the same thing. Chilling prospect!