I think many are incorrectly labeled as Putin simps when what they are actually doing is just trying to push back on the narrative that the West and left are a shining pillar of integrity and honesty. They may not necessarily think he's a good person, and don't go as far as saying that, however they might agree with some of the things he says and support that as a form of supporting free speech, when the rest of the world is trying to cancel him and anyone that appears to support him.