> russia lost when it failed to capture kiev. capturing kiev wasn't part of russia's smo plans, and the best way to prove it is to use standard maths. the initial invasion was akin to a shock-and-awe attack to intimidate the enemy, but the amount of troops russia deployed into kiev direction was genuinely too small to hold the entire city. they bank'd on showing resolve, and threatening total war, if kiev refuses to surrender. kiev refused to surrender, total war ensued.  now kiev is retreating across the entire frontline in the south-east
European