why do russians like Vladimir Putin?

Not only Russians have always had a soft spot for strong man leaders for the country. The Weak leader it's a real distress for each country! When Putin first came to power, he did exercise some very wise supply-side economic judgment that made Russian economy strong. He has also updated the Russian military arms for the Army and Navy. All this giving the Russian people pride in their country again. He could be described as clever, educated, worthy, honest person.

Putin is a real Russian man who is loving Russia and Russian people.

I wonder, .Why do Americans like Obama?

It's possible. Russians have always had a soft spot for strong man leaders for some reason. When Putin first came to power, he did exercise some very wise supply-side economic judgment that made the post-Soviet Russian economy strong. He also started to build up the Russian military again. All this giving the Russian people pride in their country again. He could be described at the Russian Reagan.

However, there is not a lot stopping those Russian strong men from becoming tyrants. The Russian people seem to put trust into their Czar...er, I mean, presidents and just hope for the best.

Because Putin kicked out all of the Oligarch's from Russia, and turned the whole Russian economy around.

Russia has a long history of being abused by their own leaders, and of losing wars when the leader is weak. They lost an obscene amount of people during the WWII era, from within and without. So long as V. Putin can stand up to those that threaten Russia, the more safe the people feel. So long as he doesn't attack his own people while he stands strong against outside powers the people will like him. They've have far worse.

Because Putin kicked out all of the Oligarch's from Russia, and turned the whole Russian economy around.

Actually we don't like. Our country is occupied by the small group of people with huge money resources stolen from russian people, and using their power to blockade all information resources such as TV or radio and the rest of the people are too poor to think anything but the survival of their family. And they are using their power and money also to look good in foreign media too. Using to win the ability to make that Sochi 2014 olimpic games. It is already the most expensive games in history and that's all because of corruption, because everybody wants the piece of this delicious pie. It might be also the last one for them.

The only things I factually know about Putin are what western media tells me... SO I can say that I know nothing about Putin

Why do the North Koreans like Kim Jong?

Did you ever wonder if there were some guy in Iraq asking the same thing about Bush and Obama?

Patriotism or nationalism would be your answer.

Same reason Americans like Paris Hilton and kim kardashian.