“WE, RUSSIA’S OFFICERS, DEMAND THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION REJECT THE CRIMINAL POLICY OF PROVOKING A WAR IN WHICH RUSSIA WOULD FIND ITSELF ALONE AGAINST THE UNITED FORCES OF THE WEST.” COL. GEN. (RET.) LEONID IVASHTOV JAN. 31, 2022; PUTIN'S "WAG THE DOG," INVASION OF UKRAINE HAS EXPOSED A SENIOR OFFICER STAFF WATERED DOWN BY RETIREMENT, JUNIOR OFFICERS DEMORALIZED BY SUBSTANDARD FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT, AND LAZY-UNDISCIPLINED CONSCRIPTS. BUT, IT HAS ALLOWED PUTIN TO ASSERT A DICTATOR'S CONTROL OF RUSSIA. WAS THAT THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE?