The problem is that Putin, as he has stated clearly, has made it his goal to get back to superpower status. He doesn't have the population and economy to do it,

The problem is that Putin, as he has stated clearly, has made it his goal to get back to superpower status. He doesn't have the population and economy to do it, so he has to use dirty tricks. And even if he fails, he sure can cause a lot of problems in the attempt.