[canuck_conservative]

that’s one explanation

another is that Russia is simply losing on the battlefield

all the evidence I’m seeing so far points to option (b)

[Brian Griffin]

In areas to the northeast, Russia allegedly had according to a comment in The Guardian soldiers on punishment duty that were not up to the job.

There were also local militiamen that melted back to civilian life.

Putin felt compelled to send in Russian troops. It was a special military operation and it did not get proper planning.