Vlad read Mafia history. The rad trail wasn't sloppiness. Putin can't be touched and knows it. Never handicap yourself by underestimating an actual or potential enemy's viciousness or intelligence.
That I can understand as a theory, but I do not quite see the practicality of its application. To illustrate - Putin wants to warn critics that they need to back off. Fine. But in doing so he has actually enhanced the criticism itself tremendously. So what was the real payoff in practical terms ? There seems to be some other message here. Not to critics or reporters because he is as you stated 'untouchable' by them.