You are flat wrong. The universal wisdom was that the Russians would go through the Ukrainian Army like crap through a goose, NOT that Ukraine could still be putting up a good fight three years later. No one provoked Russia, Putin wanted Ukraine as part of his new Russian Empire.
I didn't get to read what you were responding to because I've learned to put morons on 'ignore'. It's the best way to enjoy the site.
I was under no illusions about the quality of the Russian Army. They have always fought 'Casualties wars' in which they were willing to lose more men in order to win. I knew they had poor leadership based more on loyalty than any measure of skill and I also knew their equipment was poorly designed and made.
But I didn't realize the extent to which Ukraine was willing to go to keep from being ruled by Russia -- Again. I knew they'd rather die than go back to being socialist scum.... Which is true of all civilized people, but I under-estimated their resolve.
I figured the Russians would make some sucking noises and Ukraine' leadership would use the opportunity to betray their people and put them back in chains.
I am happy I was wrong.
One thing we all need to understand, Putin is there because Bill The Rapist Clinton betrayed Russia. When The USSR fell, NOT Russia, the USSR, The Rapist had two choices; he could let The Russian People hit rock bottom in what was known as a "Hard Landing" or the USA and Euro-Scum could help The Russian People out. Which would have taken a lot of money and effort. We know why Euro-Scum didn't help..... They never have, and they never will, care about anything other than themselves.
Clinton, OTOH, saw the most incredible windfall of money in Human History. The Cold War had ended and, in the process, freed up BILLIONS.... No -- TRILLIONS of dollars that he could now squander. (70% of our budget went to Defense before the fall of the USSR)
He did. Squander it, I mean. All the BILLIONS and tens of BILLIONS we used to spend on Defense was no longer necessary and... Well, dimocrap scum gonna dimocrap scum.
As to why Putin invaded Ukraine? He certainly did want a Warm Water Port but there's always the fact, FACT, that socialist Countries (Russia abandoned Hard socialism for a 'softer' variety) can't support themselves. So they invade, conquer and loot other countries. Hitler, anyone?
None of them can. None of them ever have or ever will support themselves. socialists lack imgination and work ethic. It's why they're socialists in the first place. Plus, it's easier to maintain control of a Country internally when it's at War..... So, Putin invaded Ukraine and -- Here we are.