One can see a Napolean complex in Putin as well as a loss of empire in his lifetime. His background is solely counterintelligence and belittling his perceived enemy. He will never admit to envy.
So you may also begin to see evil as a response to envy and feelings of poor self-worth.

A healthy feeling of self worth is a potential for achievement in thoughts and deeds. The mere conscious mind fooling itself with delusions of grandeur is unhealthy. The unhealthy expression of envy has been seen in the personalities of serial killers to politicians.
The other route to evil is the psychopath devoid of empathy.