It's definitely going wrong when you're losing three 2* generals in little more than a fortnight. I think it's obvious he's massively underestimated the resistance the Ukrainians would put up but also the severity of the sanctions the rest of the world would take against him.I'd like to believe you are right and I have some hope but sadly Mad Vlad lacks logic, reason, patience or compassion for his fellow man. He's been badly briefed, it's all gone far to slowly for him and now he's stuck. To go backwards and go home is to lose face to go forwards is to lose even more men in a street by street quamire of misery that could last weeks if not months. The more he gets hemmed in financially and militarily the more chance there is of him doing something truely horrible and off the conventional war script. Just remember when you blot, bang, rub do it in the correct sequence.
With his current losses financially and military, especially the war materiel he's losing to farmers I agree it's likely that he is going to have to do something that gives him and edge.
And don't forget to cross your braces on the suit or the whole thing doesn't work...