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...