Interesting that core doctrine includes a front that's two or three vehicles wide. I also wonder if insufficient fuel for vehicles and food for troops is part of that doctrine.

I don't claim to know much of anything about Russian battle doctrine, so maybe you could enlighten us as to why this is "to standard operating plan".

I have little doubt that Ukraine will eventually fall. It's a matter of relative resources. But I don't think Russia will manage to hold the country for very long. Consider all the Ukrainians who are now armed. And consider the hate of Russians this war - particularly the assaults on civilians - is generating. Installing a client government just gives the partisans a list of targets. This'll be a lot like Afghanistan, minus the mountains (so easier) but the locals look just like Russians (so harder).