Scott Ritter provides a succinct summary of the strategy that the RF military pursued in Ukraine. That strategy cannot be divorced from the RF’s overall goal, which was to accomplish military objectives in coordination with an overriding political goal—to minimize civilian casualties and thereby gain the support of at least the Russian speaking regions which—in all likelihood—Moscow intends to incorporate into the Russian Federation in some form or other. That form might be a Belarus style relationship or direct incorporation, probably based on a plebiscite.
Thanks! Some more thoughts at https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2022/03/ukraine-updates-and-scott-ritter-on-russia-military-strategy-and-progress.html