You are seriously giving Russia too much credit. Russia does indeed consider everything a zero sum game, and do wage asymetrical warfare against EU. But they are in no position to take on Germany, France or the UK in a conventional war. Poland has even risen as a regional power in the east, and a ukrainian style russian offensive in Poland would leave them even more battered than in Ukraine.
Ukraine was dysfunctional because of influence and corruption sponsered by Russia, which even lead to southern Ukraine being taken in a small period of time. Once the ukrainians got it under control, Russia was unable to counter ukrainian resitance.
I fail to understand why you are saying Russia could do US style ground strikes, when the air situation in Ukraine is close to parity. No russian jets are doing uncontested deep strikes into Ukraine. They hardly do that at the frontline.
Russia appears to wage more ground strikes on Syria per aircraft in the region (during the worst of the Syrian Civil War), than against Ukraine per aircraft from Russia. Does this not raise red flags.
Putin is an old "KGB dude". Here is how these operate...
(and the Mossad's old motto):"By way of
deception thou shalt make war."
Europe is being lulled to not rearm and Putin is waging the war in a way to not spook Europe to rearm.
We know Putin wants Poland, the Baltic states and more.
The Russian media said so,
Former Russian officials say so. Russia wants to invade Europe, prepare supporters of a Russian invasion of Europe, to keep them as supporters in the advent of such a war. Yet wants to send the message to the EU, that Russia is being
devastated in Ukraine.
Putin wants as many of these fake news stories in the West as possible.
There have been more than 100,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine, while Russia has spent a quarter of its annual budget on the conflict.
www.dailymail.co.uk
This Russia to take decades to rebuild is nonsense stuff. If you believe these lies, be ready for occupation.
If the USA loses one carrier and decide not to have as many, does this make the USA less capable of destroying you.
Russia had tens of thousands of tanks at last year. Had tens of thousands of artillery. Had tens of thousands of IFVs. If Russia loses 1/4 in Ukraine, Russia can still destroy Europe. Russia wants you to believe Russia has much less, via the pom pom cheerleaders in the West.
This is the same as Amazon's Bezos loses 20 billion or 50 billion. Bezos still has tens of billions that you don't have.
"Wow Nazi Germany lost tanks and artillery in Poland. Hitler cannot take France, has lost tanks. France Stonk!"
"Genghis Khan lost horses in taking over a country... we are safe , no need to arm to the teeth... (months later) wait why are we under Mongol rule... the news stories out of shill UK last year said Genghis Khan lost so many horses, would take 30 years to get them back."
Russia has so many arms and weapons, the losses in Ukraine are a drop in the bucket.
Putin's reason for Russia is to have the Russian military capable of destroying Europe. So the deception from Putin and the media is there to lure you into the trap of not rearming.
Europe must rearm.