Having lived in Russia for more than two decades, and having ancestors who lived in Commie times and Empire times I can say said labeling the current tyrannical regime with “Empire” is a misinterpretation. With the same level of success almost any country in the modern world, even if it hides behind the words “republic” or “democracy”, can be labeled as an “Empire” too.
I believe that such actions on the part of an empire are in one way or another aimed at the prosperity of its citizens. Putin’s regime is even worse - it does not care about its citizens and therefore I cannot even call its regime an empire.