He's got what he wanted - Ukraine has been destabilised to the Nth degree and Crimea has been annexed.
I doubt that he got what he wanted... It's like Stalin in Winter War. Formally he won and got a chunk of territory... But he wanted more.
Putin wanted that New Russia thing and didn't get it. Crimea is a poor consolation prize. Minor destabilization at Donbass isn't a huge achievement, either. I consider it minor comparing to what it could be if Russian propaganda managed to make 100 000 locals+ take arms against Ukrainian state.
Guys like Strelkov are completely expendable and Putin doesn't really need them anymore.
There are theory that Putin intentionally utilizes guys like Strelkov because they may create Russian Right Sector and lead Russian Maidan
Win-win. Destabilize situation in Ukraine and get rid of potential enemies.
Kazakhstan and Belarus have been reminded that if they start playing with that "revolution" nonsense and try to go against his word they could potentially have their countries split and their economies ruined
I'd not call this countries puppets. Under heavy influence yep. Puppets... not yet
Problem is that when dictators die, country has a high chance to go down in chaos
If the quality of life in Ukraine can improve, there is a possibility that Ukraine may become a smaller, "better version of Russia" where Russians can live, work, start successful businesses and experience the joys of free movement as their Russo-Latvian friends currently do.
Ukraine is attractive for Russian immigrants even now. So far it is true only for a small subset for people who are ready to lose in income but live in a more free country.