Putin’s actions show Kremlin is preparing for long war

For the Kremlin, it was all meant to be so different. The war in Ukraine initially envisioned by Vladimir Putin was to be completed in weeks, if not days. But you do not retain power in Russia for more than 20 years without learning how to adapt to changing circumstances, and the last two years have shown the Russian president’s skill at utilising change for his own advantage. As February 2022 moved into March 2022, Mr Putin's chances of success in Ukraine appeared to wane. With the Russian army pilloried and the Ukrainian fightback more successful than had been anticipated,…