COVID-19 accelerated Putin's isolation because he likely could not be safely vaccinated (due to possible immunocompromise), forcing him to isolate from almost everyone except his closest circle, while ideological hawks like Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev had monthly cycles of isolation built into their schedule that allowed them regular face-time with Putin, while pragmatists like Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin had very little direct contact because they were actually running the country and couldn't afford two-week isolation periods.