Who is really desperate? The US and U.K. finally give approval to use long range missiles inside Russia. The missiles are guided by US/UK intelligence and software. Biden just authorized the use of land mines. All of this is done after Trump wins the election.
Russia is advancing across the entire front and is in the process of encircling the Ukrainians in Kursk. Ukraine is escalating the war, the real act of desperation.
It is not unreasonable to believe both sides are desperate.
War is a desperate enterprise.