Facing setbacks, Vladimir Putin makes his biggest gamble yet in Ukraine
The Russian leader has already lost several big bets in Ukraine. He may be taking his largest risk yet by mobilizing more troops and pushing ahead with plans to annex Ukrainian territory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has already placed big bets on Ukraine.
He sent troops to storm the capital Kyiv in the first days of the war, only to have them retreat a month later. He wagered that the West and other countries would not act in such a swift and coordinated manner to isolate Russia.
Despite this track record, Putin's latest gamble may be his biggest yet. In the face of battlefield setbacks, the Russian leader has doubled down. Russia will — a number larger than the original invasion force — and Moscow also appears poised to annex
