Any semi-competant analyst can see that Russia had no interest in 'taking' Kyiv.  Not ever, and not to this day.  It was obviously a tactic to tie up Ukrainians while who would otherwise make the permanent taking of places like Kherson. which they do intend to keep, more costly and complicated.

The Russians can vaporize reddtard 'mercenaries' by the hundreds at will flying munitions right over the heads of the 'visting dignitaries' (working on their money laundering schemes in perfect safety) in Kyiv.  That tells me that this whole thing is largely choreographed and pre-planned, and all sides are a party to the show.

That said, I do suspect that it was supposed to be more of a show and less of a real fight than the Jewkrainian actors and stage managers were expecting.  Russia might have played them somewhat in this respect.

Act-II will be Poland taking back some historically Polish territory in the West.  That much was probably pre-planned and something that the Jewkrainian govt in Kiev started out with as a goal and have worked diligently to set up.  It's why the tactics are designed to whack as many Ukrianians who can possibly hold a gun as possible.  Russian couldn't care less what happens over there and their gains in the East will probably be solidified by an agreement to not interfere with Polish operations in the Western parts of the country.  That, and perhaps not taking Odessa.  In other words, leaving the neo-pale-of-settlement sea-port access for their 'bigger Israel' project.