Objective was to divert portions, not the whole. They want main body to remain in east, where they can be defeated easy or hard way. Currently trying to create pincer movement. Thin lines as you say, yet note enough to hold those diverted forces, until time is right roughly,, the whole time. All the while whittling away at favourable casualty rates, gaining air dominance, talks going on to see if objectives will be achieved easy or hard way. Can be argued intent was to encircle more of south kyiv, but as long as there's a wide area for evacuation and entry of diverted troops, how important was it. All kyiv actions were to create perception they were really trying to take city. They can return after primary objectives achieved. I understand much of this can seem bizarre. And I know better than to think Russian generals don't know what they're doing.
