It's fairly obvious Russia doesn't want to crush Ukraine or harm its citizens. They want Nato to fuck off and this is a message they won't let Nato set up in Ukraine. Nato wants Russia paralyzed by nukes on its border the way Pakistan's nukes paralyze india from getting involved in any conflicts.
I guess he can still be of some use if they can claim he died of covid. It'll ensure mail in voting for the midterms.