People are also overlooking the fact that the Pentagon's original estimate of a 48 hour Russian victory required a minimum of 50,000 Ukrainian civilians dead. But it had become super clear on Day 2 that Russia had not selected this bloody solution. This actually made the US media awkward, because they had to admit that the Russians are trying to avoid civilian casualties.
Lest we forget, Russia could have levelled Kiev on Day 2. There was nothing stopping it from sending in its Strategic Bomber Fleet. And despite some people claiming that would have been the "optimal" solution (those people need professional help and medication) what Russia has opted for is a methodical advance and not rushing to take and destroy cities, and this obviously takes longer. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and I thank God Russia chose this option, rather than killing untold numbers of civilians. If Russia had started doing that, I would not be supporting Russia here.
Now, by Day 4, Russian forces have surrounded Kiev (the mayor confirmed this.) It's Northern supply lines have been secured. Their convoys are strolling in to their waypoints without even worrying about ambushes. Ukraine's Eastern and Southern flanks are collapsing, and the Ukrainian leadership has agreed to drop its preconditions and decided to come to the table... and yet people are still complaining that it's too "slow." Well this isn't a frekkin video game or a netflix show you can binge watch.
