ok wild theory:
one reason named for why putin started the war is that he surrounded himself with yes-men tailoring reports to what putin wants to hear.
from how it looks this is exactly how the west at large operates currently. politicians of both camps say the same stuff. scientists are listened to if it matches the narrative. media is only valid if it repeats the narrative, otherwise it's fake news or *gasp russian misinformation.
it's exactly the same thing, just different flavor!
@CapitalB well, it's been reported that he wasn't amused by these failures, but i don't know if there are confirmations of this.
also, the evil guys (west and east) have a face to lose, especially if their image is that of an omnipotent leader. mind that putin frequently reduced sentences for select dissidents to look as mild leader. in the west the tricksters have played humanitarian charades for a long time too, think of the whole "all the kids will get long covid, think of the kids!!11" bs. while being friends with epstein.
it's bullshit all the way down.