Russia Ukraine war, page-2840

"Hands up who actually knows what the Russian force’s game plan is?"

That is easy.
Putin wants Ukraine to be neutral to Russia. Putin, as much as possible, wants a buffer between Russia and NATO forces.
There was no thought or threats of a Russian invasion before the fascist led coup in 2014 overthrew an elected government and replaced it with a hostile pro US/NATO regime which was being financed and trained as US/NATO proxy force for war against Russia.

Putin hopes to make advances on the ground and then negotiate some sort of detente with US/NATO.

BUT this is Putins disastrous miscalculation, US/NATO have already shown (before invasion) they are not interested in Russia's security concerns or negotiations.
They are only interested in regime change and the breakup of Russia. (russia so big, so many resources, so much gas and mineral wealth),