Dictators seem to never wonder what is in the best interest of the people.
Russia has spent big money building things like the hypersonic missile. They want it to brag, and the look good in parades.
What I didn't realize, and it seems overall the US didn't realize, was how thin Russia's supply capabilities were. From day 1, it has been a problem. But trucks don't look good in a May Day parade.
It also looks their training is subpar. Again, other than marching in step, training doesn't make the May Day Parade more exciting.
I worked with a woman years ago who had spent a year in the USSR in the mid 80s. She said we greatly had overestimated the Soviet army. Her tip, a Moscow hospital with screens in the surgical room instead of windows.
Overall though, Ukraine's military is deeply steeped in Soviet doctrine. I doubt the average Ukrainian soldier is that much better trained.
But undoubtedly Ukraine's troops are more motivated.
I wonder if Wagner Group is finding it hard to recruit mercenaries? Because pay is better, I would think trained soldiers would prefer going to work for them. My crazy guess, not many international mercenaries want to work for Russia, and most Russians don't want in Ukraine.
But the events of the past week answer the question I have had since the second week, why didn't Putin commit more. I assumed he had more control over Russia than it appears he has.