Right now Russia is massing and waiting for one thing. Winter. Once the ground is frozen solid expect significant action on all fronts. The strategic attacks on infrastructure have been deliberate and Ukraine is now low on most inventory supplies, specifically liquid energy for both vehicles and munitions. In contrast Russia has stockpiled up.
Draw the enemy into extended flanks during poor environmental conditions and then attack in good conditions once logistics are in place.
Sun Tzu art of war 101.
I expect Russia to clear Kiev and then leave once a more neutral government is in place. Exactly along their initial objectives.
I'm not justifying Russia's actions but if everyone had minded their own business maybe 10 000 killed.
In contrast we have close to half a million dead (100k Russian, 400K Ukranian for exactly the same result).
Time will tell but it all looks pretty textbook to me from the Russian perspective. The variable will be how much the west decides to participate...
