Why is the Russian colossus looking so inept? Part of the reason......
"Battles are won by tactics, wars are won by logistics". (Gen "Blackjack" Pershing)
Putin expected a quick assault and capture of the capital (Kyiv) within 36 hours. Prior to the attack,
he had Ukraine nearly surrounded by his strike force..all equipment lined up, fueled and ready..
Likely alongh with enough ammo and rations for troops to last a week..
..But it took more than a week, and there was little or no backup in supplies and replacements. Clearly, he was planning that his "Blitzkrieg" would overcome Kyiv in a few hours..
As it stands, he has lost not only momentum, but replacements in men and arms..if he has them.
Logistics.."Amateurs talk tactics, professionals talk logistics".. Russian leaders historically, have used their troops often to quell internal disturbances across the broad expanse of the "mother country", and with a poor highway system, they have turned to railroads.
Ukraine, since their liberation, has developed more highways, in preference to railroads..a snag for Putin. Since Russia has leaned upon railroads, they do not currently, have sufficient trucks to resupply their army.
But another problem..even their tactics are not working...tactics ! Since having been for centuries living under one totalitarian regime or another for centuries..except for a few years in the 1990s, their military does not trust much below their generals..and don't always trust their generals (re. Stalin purge, 1937).
That being so, few decisions are made at the normal tactical level, and field grade officers or their NCOs are not capable or willing to "take charge" where their force has been decimated.
Thus snipers are "force multipliers" +..when they pick off a Russian general! ..And Russian generals spend much of their time in the field, trying to promote tactics, since anyone below that grade is not trusted by the "Supreme leader"..
With new, highly effective weapons from the NATO nations ripping their forces so badly, they are now apparently resorting to their old "Rape of Berlin" tactics, in their desperation.
News today..th enew "Switchblade" being sent to ground forces with the Ukraine militia..a fearsome weapon..
Russia would have a better chance taking the southern, Black Sea ports...but NATO may supply the Ukraine militia with some newly developes weapons for that job..
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/09/land-based-anti-ship-missiles-and-the-u-s-marine-corps-options-available/ https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/missile-defense-weapons/us-army-flexes-new-land-based-anti-ship-capabilities ..And as we have found out..those Ukrainains , sure can be resourceful !!
