Putin simply does not have Stalin's ability to coerce new divisions into existence. Russia's political weakness also hamstrings its operations because Putin cannot call up troops from the major metropolitan areas of Moscow and St. Petersburg because of fear of the political fallout. The Russian government is also wracked by internal political struggles with possibly deadly consequences for the higher ups. Shoigu's daughter and her family are cooling their heels in the UAE for a reason. Not exactly a vote of confidence in the system. Like Hitler, Putin plays favorites and sets commanders against one another and gives orders impossible or destructive to fulfill.
As far as the hate goes, that is reciprocated by the Ukrainians, the Poles, Lithuanians, Latvians, Estonians, Georgians etc. Virtually every nation around Russia hates Russia with a passion and for good reason. And Putin has performed the alchemical miracle of converting a great deal of Ukraine's Russian speakers into Ukrainians.
Did it ever occur to you that Russia might of been trying to limit Uke casualties? Did it occur to you that if they had wanted to, they could of simply employed thermobarics from planes, artie, even hand helds? That’s only one aspect. They’re not as crippled as you’d like to think. I simply don’t want a war and see my country get dragged into one, yet so many seem to cheerlead it. I care not what happens over there. Not my circus, not my monkeys. I have enough problems here. Most Uke cheerleaders won’t be happy until their kids are dying.