General Discussions

[Baggers]

Yep, Putin really underestimated the West's response to his dirty little war and the impact that it would have on Russia's economy and the fortunes of the oligarchs. 

Absolutely.

So far he's succeeded in elevating Zelenskyy's status globally, turned global (negative) attention on himself and his buddies with considerable impact on their personal financial fortunes, created unnecessary hardship on his citizenry, created a conflict where it's not Russia vs Ukraine but rather more personality based - Putin & Oligarchs vs the Ukraine - this would gall him, underestimated an opponent (a cardinal sin in military strategy)...and so on.

Those who understand the psychology of Putin/Russians understand that it is somewhat different to the 'West'. As extraordinary as it may seem, he has better than 75% support from his (ill-informed) population. At this stage there are only two options for Putin... claim a win with what he has 'achieved' thus far and back off or (like any self-respecting Dictator) escalate things to chemical/nuclear exchanges. Anyone who thinks Putin wouldn't opt for nuclear strikes as it would be a suicide also, doesn't understand his thinking or personality(?) type. Martyrdom would not be beyond him, even with the cost to his and other nations being horrendous (which wouldn't bother him for a nano second, he simply cannot be seen to lose).