Why Russia Hasn’t Defeated Ukraine

<p>After invading, Russia’s military was expected to sweep through Ukraine within a few days, quickly seizing the capital, Kyiv, and installing a pro-Moscow government.</p><p>It hasn’t worked out that way.</p><p>Now, with Russia’s advance stalling, there are signs that President Vladimir V. Putin is ready to wage a much darker, grimmer campaign.</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/eric-schmitt?smid=pc-thedaily">Eric Schmitt</a>, a senior writer covering terrorism and national security for The New York Times. </p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>After days of miscalculation about Ukraine’s resolve to fight, Russian forces are turning toward an old pattern of<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/28/world/europe/russia-ukraine-military.html"> opening fire on cities and mounting sieges</a>.</li><li>Plagued by poor morale as well as fuel and food shortages, some Russian troops in Ukraine have<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/01/world/europe/russia-troops-pentagon.html"> surrendered en masse or sabotaged their own vehicles</a> to avoid fighting, a Pentagon official said.</li></ul><p>Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. </p>