Russian invasion of Ukraine

What have voters got to do with Russian presidential elections?

It's all about optics. Any Russian with half a brain knows the elections are rigged but they will remain obedient so long as the supreme leader appears strong.

For an example of how strong Putin is look at what happened in Dagestan. It's a Muslim majority republic yet the airport rioters got off largely scot free (a handful were given jail sentences lasting a few days). A stronger punishment could have led to an uprising in the region. All the more reason then for a meaningful battlefield victory to bolster Putin's position.