[M T]

Perhaps a more appropriate question is why Russia/Putin is willing to spend so many dead and so much of the oligarchs’ frozen assets?  Also, it has seemingly exposed some softer than generally known aspects of its military. 

This prixy war for the west helps clarify what is working and what isn’t. 

I don’t think Putin views Ukraine as a vacation spot where he wants a summer home.

Whatever advantages (political, location
, natural resources) that Russia gains from bulldozing Ukraine, the West has every reason to deny them from a country where outright war is their means of expansion. (Shades of Hitler overrunning countries)
To me, providing financial and military weapons seems cheap)

[M T]

Perhaps a more appropriate question is why Russia/Putin is willing to spend so many dead and so much of the oligarchs’ frozen assets?  Also, it has seemingly exposed some softer than generally known aspects of its military. 

This prixy war for the west helps clarify what is working and what isn’t. 

I don’t think Putin views Ukraine as a vacation spot where he wants a summer home.

Whatever advantages (political, location
, natural resources) that Russia gains from bulldozing Ukraine, the West has every reason to deny them from a country where outright war is their means of expansion. (Shades of Hitler overrunning countries)
To me, providing financial and military weapons seems cheap)