If anyone thinks Putin is mad they are themselves deluded; he is cold, clever, calculating and totally devoid of conscience. At present he is entirely focused on his objective, which is to take Ukraine, at whatever cost.
He is also playing with the West. His latest offer is to allow Ukrainian civilians to leave via 'safe' corridors which lead to Belarus and to Russia.
Should he wish to use nuclear weapons he will; he will be safe in what a journalist this morning called his lair. I do not believe anyone at present has any power to influence him; to stop him he has to be defeated, but how?
Those Russian people who protest will be punished; it appears some Russians prefer what they consider to be his strong government, because they don't have to take responsibility for themselves.