Experts theorised that Putin's ultimate objective when he invaded Ukraine was to rebuild the Russian Empire.
Putin, though, has focused his attention and military might on Ukraine as the conflict dragged on. Some of his post-Soviet allies are now upset about Moscow's lack of support.
Experts believe that when Russian President Vladimir Putin attacked Ukraine without warning in February,
he was hoping for a quick win and possibly beginning a mission to revive the Russian Empire or the USSR.
Instead, seven months later, with his focus now firmly on Ukraine, Putin's authority across the post-Soviet region may be more shaky than ever.
According to a recent article in The New York Times,
Putin's allies in the region are becoming frustrated due to the absence of Russian leadership in Central Asia and the Caucasus, which runs between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
According to Taras Kuzio, a political science professor at the National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy, Russia has insisted on retaining influence over post-Soviet states ever since the Soviet Union fell apart in 1991 and even before Putin came to office.