I can't speak for a Russians perspective of saving face, as I'm an unrelated outsider. Nonetheless, if Russia ceases their aggression after this then it wouldn

I can't speak for a Russians perspective of saving face, as I'm an unrelated outsider. Nonetheless, if Russia ceases their aggression after this then it wouldn't have been defeated by Ukraine. You'd basically end up with non-patriots having caused the loss, as such you'll have a group of people to blame.