The life expectancy declined as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union, in the Soviet Union the life expectancy being 65 and 74 years for men and women, respectively. The drop in life expectancy is due much more to the conversion to a "free market" economy and the inherent phycological stress brought on by such change. This change occured before Putin was elected President of Russia.
Putin's leadership is far from poor. The economy and government have both become much less corrupt as a result of his actions. He jailed Russia's oil tycoon who was guilty of tax fraud and numerous other crimes. He also dealt effectively with the terrorists in Chechneya. Vladimir Putin has done more in order to save Russia than the Western goals to better the life of the workers by institutiin "free market".
The reason for Putin's bad image is that the US is afraid of a strong and unified Russia.
I implore that next time you do your research.

__________________
The Capitalist maxim: The fortunate must not be restrained in the exercise of tyranny over the unfortunate. Bertrand Russell
Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism -how passionately I hate them! ~Albert Einstein