Well, my impression is similar regarding Putin, but I have also read opinions that this offensive is not the full-scale reckless invasion quite yet. Russian for

Well, my impression is similar regarding Putin, but I have also read opinions that this offensive is not the full-scale reckless invasion quite yet. Russian forces have supposedly invaded quite carefully and between each move they’re waiting to see the Ukrainian response. Like in a chess game, tit-for-tat. They are basically keeping themselves ready for anything, including a retreat or unexpected pivot. A lot points to the fact that Putin has extensively prepared and calculated the benefits and costs of all the possibilities and endgames. Everything, including how we are talking about it here is potentially a component in this strategy. What is difficult for all of us here in the West to comprehend, is how completely different the elite Russian POV is from our own. I highly recommend looking into the Gerasimov and Primakov doctrines. At the same time, Putin is pretty old and has been in power for so long that there is a real chance that he has become narcissistic. There is a real chance that he has developed a misperception of his own strength and that this is a turning point. Something similar happened to Napoleon at a certain point.