> In 2022, they had to deal with the US and Europe providing aid and arms to Ukraine, and sanctions levied on Russia On top of what the GP listed, there was al

> In 2022, they had to deal with the US and Europe providing aid and arms to Ukraine, and sanctions levied on Russia On top of what the GP listed, there was also the post-pandemic uncertainty, soaring inflation and increase in the support of far-right/isolationist politicians in Europe. The Russians probably expected a slow start from them and a quick takeover of Kyiv[0], which would likely mean game over for a big chunk (if not all) of Ukraine. To be fair, they almost succeeded: it came down to the single battle that saved Kyiv from a quick occupation[1]. Last (but not least), there was the Putin's isolation during the pandemic when he might have read too much of Russian fascism philosophers'[2]. To me, the open all-out invasion at that time seemed very much out of his style as he had always preferred covert probing and sabotage before that. [0]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Antonov_Airport https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Antonov_Airport [1]https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-russias-failure-to-take-kyiv-was-pure-luck/ https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-russias-failure-to-take-... [2]https://thebulletin.org/2022/03/inside-putins-head-paranoid-calculating-obsessed-by-the-conspiracy-theories-of-a-rehabilitated-russian-fascist/ https://thebulletin.org/2022/03/inside-putins-head-paranoid-...