I don't think Putin has anything to fear regarding a traditional invasion by Nato, so matching any build up is meaningless. It is clearly just an explanation of

I don't think Putin has anything to fear regarding a traditional invasion by Nato, so matching any build up is meaningless. It is clearly just an explanation of why he needs a lot of troops withdrawn from Ukraine. That can explain giving up gains after clearing "Nazis" and freeing Russians so they could flee to Belarus, etc. Probably he is planning for the likelihood that the weather, etc, makes any sort of seige on Kyiv completely unmaintainable. In early days I thought he might try a blitz approach on Finnland and would still be careful if he pulls troops out. He should have learned that would be stupid by now, but he is also arresting anyone who might think clearly.