It's a theory he/she seems to have brought up as a theory, not a personal apologia.
"You must chill! The Ukrainians have taken our keys! You Must
Chill!" No one here has any love for Putin, but we often disagree on how to deal with him. For example I, personally, verity_kindle, ladywoman of North America, would like to see galloping gonorrhea catch up to all Russian military leaders, so I can win the pool. Your mileage may vary. Righthandofikaros's mileage may vary. Be cool.
That theory would fit with the top-down, punishment-for showing-initiative, no-NCO, no-trust, bloody fuckups that have made the Russian military famous.
The army marched on its pizza pockets. They asked him for nothing, leaving Adidas prints in the snow.