I think there are a couple of things going on. He overestimated how the West would respond and he's doubling down. Losing is not an option. He will take all of Russia down with him if he loses. That might even mean nuclear war. It looks like now he wants to get into Moldova and expand is reach. Belarus, Moldova and what would be next? The Baltic states? Maybe he is hoping for a stalemate that would last until January 6th, 2025 when Trump steals the election and will withdraw all aid to Ukraine collapsing the resistance and leaving the EU to defend itself. We'll see if Putin has enough resources to make this last three more years of if he even lives that long with the rumors of advanced Thyroid cancer...