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[–]penelopepnortneyBecome ungovernable 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Russia's initial intention was simply to stage a kind of lightning coup against the Zelensky government, and replace it with a more Russia friendly regime.

Don't recall this being one of their stated objectives. And why would it be? Zelensky ran and won the 2019 election on a platform that included a negotiated peace agreement with Russia. The SMO was intended to show Kiev and the West that Russia was serious about keeping Ukraine out of NATO, and Zelensky was ready to come to terms in March/April 2022 before the West scuttled it.