I suspect the Russians were surprised at the level of resistance in Ukraine.
The piano player was not very popular, had been banning his opposition, trying to limit or remove Russian cultural influences, and being just an a$$.
Now, 100 days later, they are in a long bloody fight that they probably won’t lose, but are burned out and broken down. Also, Belarus is stepping back, Finland and Sweden want to join NATO, and Poland is, well honestly being Poland so no change there.
What was supposed to be a repeat of Desert Storm I has become a mess. Russia slapped the Tar Baby, and is realizing that no matter what happens now there is a big mess.
Russia is going to win tactically. The question is are they going to lose strategically
Russia, I think, can’t fully mobilize for political reasons. Without NATO invading, or even Ukraine, they cannot justify to the populace a full mobilization.
I believe that Russia has already lost strategically, and I believe they are loosing tactically because they are using up resources that are irreplaceable, with little or no gains. What they have gained they probably cannot hold. The prolonged conflict will only worsen the crisis.
I don’t like Zelensky, I don’t like Putin, I only support the poor people who can’t get out of the way or work the land. This is a stupid war, it’s about money. I
Do not believe it’s about NAZI or strategic positions, neither make sense at this point. While it might be bad for Ukraine, no matter what, in the long run it’s worse for Russia.
That leaves the Chinese to profit from it all. Disgusting.