Even when their "identity" includes the deliberate ruling of other ethnicities in non-russian territories? The Russian empire consisted of all kinds of captured territories. The Soviet union maintained these territories (while decrying the "colonialism" of the west). When the USSR collapsed these separate and distinct nations and people demanded their freedom. Putin wants to re-constitute a nation that does not normally exist without force. Ethnic Russians are a minority in their own country. They have no legitimate claim to these other territories.
Where do you get your facts?
81% of Russia's population are ethnic Russians. The other 19% are members of over 193 ethnic groups. With a only a few exceptions, all of these 193 ethnic minorities never had a country or wanted one. They were treated better than American Indians by far.
Ethnic groups in Russia - Wikipedia
en.m.wikipedia.org