But I guess you are right on one point, Russia knew how weak their armed forces are and doubted themselves so heavily they never said it out loud. It was just the rest of the world that finally saw what a paper tiger Putin's forces are. This really doesn't help your argument that they are in the running to be a world power one day.
Also, from your linked Wikipedia:
"The convoy stalled 8 days into the war, at approximately 30 kilometers (19 mi) from the center of the city of Kyiv; as of 7 March 2022, according to U.S. defense officials, the column had not moved at all for a few days."
Isn't it interesting how those "stalled convoy" dates line up with these "peace" negotiations (and that Ukraine didn't burn them Road of Death style when they very easily could have)?:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_negotiations_in_the_Russ...
There have also been dozens of assassination attempts against Ukraine's civilian and military leadership, and against Russia's as well, some of which have been successful. The fact that most attempts don't work out doesn't mean it's not happening.
> dozens of assassination attempts
> lots of nuclear saber rattling
Sources, please.
Before February 2022, I would have bet a big sum on Putin never authorizing a full-scale Ukraine invasion. There was just too much to lose and too little to gain theoretically…yet he did it anyways.