😆😂🤣 A bit more than mild. LOL
So many questions on Russian strategy.
Putin and his Generals really should read up on Israeli tactics.
it’s too late.
Imagine a different scenario - Putin, after recognizing the “independence” of the Dontesk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s republic on 23rd February, proceeds to have a referendum in those “republics” to join Russia.
Net result - those two parts join Russia
Zelenskyy who had a very low support rating on Feb 23rd, gets dismal ratings as “he let Russia take more land” - and gets impeached. The next guy comes to power on a pro-Russia plank (to placate Putin).
NATO shuffles its feet as does the EU. They make noises, but don’t do anything. NATO gets weakened further.
Putin ends up with more land, no hurt to his economy and we never realize that the Emperor has no clothes (that Russia is a paper tiger).
But now? there is no way out except to retreat out of Ukraine completely. Even retreated to the Feb 23 borders is not doable as Ukraine has lost too much to let things lie.