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This piece looks at the question of actions directed by Putin, actions encouraged but not explicitly sanctioned and moonlighting by the Russian security system.
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bloomberg.com/amp/view/articles/2018-02-28/putin-s-problem-are-freelancing-profiteers-building-a-mob-state
hesa
Why kill a spy who committed treason and got away with it?
From my limited understanding the fact that they didn't die almost immediately makes it sound like it was slightly bungled. So my guess would be the others were a mistake or collateral damage.
I doubt this has helped the global position of Russia, but it will have had an internal impact - as a distraction, reinforcement of the status quo, etc.
Also there is inevitably a blurring of lines between active policy and fostering a culture that carries out reprisals without always needing direction. By way of eg, look at Hitler's involvement in the holocaust. Just because there isn't strong evidence of direct orders doesn't remove his role.