[GK3]

Sorry, I was unclear. As near as I can tell -- and as the Russians frequently state -- the USA is in a proxy war in which we're supplying Ukraine with information and weapons (though not soldiers). The whereabouts of Putin would be valuable information to share with Ukraine, if in fact we had it. And it would be Ukraine's act of war, not ours...and not an assassination to take out the other side's leader who has declared war on Ukraine.

I think you were clear enough. While Russia correctly believes we are in a proxy war with them, it is still a "proxy" war, not a direct confrontation. The US is going to great lengths keep the war in "proxy" space. If the US supplied Ukraine with frequent updates on Putin's location, that would pretty much confirm that we could track him. Letting Ukraine (or anybody) know this increases the probability Russia will find out about the capability and "fix" whatever lets us do it. That wouldn't be "good" and by itself this is a deterrent to providing such information.

Further, when Russia finds out about the US supplying this information, especially via a failed Ukrainian attempt, that would remove a piece of the "proxy" status. It would be entirely reasonable for Russia to believe that since we facilitated an attempt on their head of state, they could do likewise. Russia would then be perfectly justified in attempting to kill Biden, as long as it was done by a "proxy". Tit for tat. We REALLY don't want that.

Obviously, one of the dangers of "proxy" war is that the "rules" about what acts are permissible without converting the war into a direct confrontation are unclear.  Russia may decide this action is so serious it converts the war from proxy to "direct". Consider the US response if we discovered Russia was helping e.g. Iran, Isis  target Biden. I don't think anybody wants to do that kind of experiment, thank goodness.

A big unknown is what happens the day Putin doesn't wake up?  Should that happen is there another hardliner capable of taking over and continuing Putin's policy?  What would the army do?  They generally stay out of politics, but I don't think you could be certain of it.  Plus, who knows what a country like Poland might do if the war starts to really turn against Ukraine.  I don't think Poland wants anything to do with a Russia on its border. Would someone like Wagner have the clout to replace Putin?

[GK3]

Sorry, I was unclear. As near as I can tell -- and as the Russians frequently state -- the USA is in a proxy war in which we're supplying Ukraine with information and weapons (though not soldiers). The whereabouts of Putin would be valuable information to share with Ukraine, if in fact we had it. And it would be Ukraine's act of war, not ours...and not an assassination to take out the other side's leader who has declared war on Ukraine.

I think you were clear enough. While Russia correctly believes we are in a proxy war with them, it is still a "proxy" war, not a direct confrontation. The US is going to great lengths keep the war in "proxy" space. If the US supplied Ukraine with frequent updates on Putin's location, that would pretty much confirm that we could track him. Letting Ukraine (or anybody) know this increases the probability Russia will find out about the capability and "fix" whatever lets us do it. That wouldn't be "good" and by itself this is a deterrent to providing such information.

Further, when Russia finds out about the US supplying this information, especially via a failed Ukrainian attempt, that would remove a piece of the "proxy" status. It would be entirely reasonable for Russia to believe that since we facilitated an attempt on their head of state, they could do likewise. Russia would then be perfectly justified in attempting to kill Biden, as long as it was done by a "proxy". Tit for tat. We REALLY don't want that.

Obviously, one of the dangers of "proxy" war is that the "rules" about what acts are permissible without converting the war into a direct confrontation are unclear.  Russia may decide this action is so serious it converts the war from proxy to "direct". Consider the US response if we discovered Russia was helping e.g. Iran, Isis  target Biden. I don't think anybody wants to do that kind of experiment, thank goodness.

A big unknown is what happens the day Putin doesn't wake up?  Should that happen is there another hardliner capable of taking over and continuing Putin's policy?  What would the army do?  They generally stay out of politics, but I don't think you could be certain of it.  Plus, who knows what a country like Poland might do if the war starts to really turn against Ukraine.  I don't think Poland wants anything to do with a Russia on its border. Would someone like Wagner have the clout to replace Putin?