I think it was strategic to end the war quickly. They knew if they invaded the East it would be a drawn out thing. So they went for the head shot right away and

I think it was strategic to end the war quickly. They knew if they invaded the East it would be a drawn out thing. So they went for the head shot right away and hoped they could pressure a negotiation. But to their credit, Ukraine stood up to it and the Russian execution of their plan was poor. So they've since abandoned that strategy and have now settled for plan-b, which they will win eventually. It's time to stop losing lives and to try diplomacy.