I don't really understand the love some on the (nominal) left have for Putin. If being on the left meant anything, it would mean being against the power and privileges of a corrupt aristocracy that survives by feeding off the labor of the masses.

And what is Putinism, except a way to use violence, fraud, and state power to funnel the wealth of the masses to a closed circle of corrupt aristocrats who monopolize all power and hold all privilege? How can you desire the victory of that?