Putin was desparate.
Losing the Ukraine War and his economy was tanking.
Rigging the US election was his only viable option.
And he took it.

distributed/rationed due to the economy.

"As President Vladimir Putin doubles down on military spending, Russia’s economy is curdling, leaving Muscovites feeling the squeeze at the checkout.

Butter — a simple staple — has turned into a luxury, with prices soaring by almost 30% in 2024 amid galloping inflation and interest rates at 20-year highs. This isn’t just theory — people are now stealing butter to resell on the black market, and supermarkets have resorted to anti-theft casings typically reserved for caviar or fine whiskey.

Prices are skyrocketing on other basics, too: potatoes are up 56%, eggs are once again in short supply, and the ruble has plunged to a one-year low, further eroding the purchasing power of ordinary Russians."

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/11/21/russias-economy-is-spoiling-as-putin-struggles-to-balance-guns-and-butter-a86958