Must Russia (Putin) remain adamant in proving to the world its ability and last resort?
The army is the modern way of selling your soul. At least in theory, one has to obey superiors' orders no matter how wrong they are.
Of course, Russians were (and are) lied, brainwashed, and if that doesn't wok, they are beaten and locked up.
Russian soldiers, even worse: they don't get information, they get only propaganda and orders.
Still, Russian people are still our best chance to (stand up and) end this stupid war. Russia is not Putin, but they may have to prove that, for themselves and for the entire world. Else both their economy (Russia) and ours (most of the rest of the world) goes into trouble, at least for short-medium term.
This goes for pretty much any and every army in the world. Except perhaps for a select few countries where soldiers do not have to abide by orders if they believe them to be against their morals. However wartime is a different breed of time. Any soldier, whether russian or american must absolutely abide by his given orders and it is not up to him to decide wrong from right. Its only up to him to obey.
So russian soldiers obeying orders is no surprise. Doesn't make them any evil/good