None of this is proof that Russian decision makers were expecting a particularly rapid campaign. My challenge remains unanswered.
As for Ukraine not having become weaker, sure... countries which lose territory, tremendous amount of manpower and key infrastructures gain in strength!
A new theorem has just been forged by the quoted user.
And "WW2 mentality" etc - I've no time to waste here on rhetoric that parrots NATO propaganda. Russia is effective, Russia is achieving her goals and there's nothing the western imperialists you're looking up to can do about it .