And it did not work?
You are assuming that happened.
You are assuming it was the purpose.
Why wouldn't Putin just talk to his "good friend" in Belarus, move tactical nukes there, and move the Wagner group there to use them?
Nothing to stop him. No reason to go through this drama which undermines the credibility of the Russian military command.
Why create this entire charade?
Why create this entire charade?
Plausible deniability