Putin isn’t seeing objective reality, and he NEEDS to be seen as strong. He thought he could just Leeroy Jenkins his way to an easy victory, only to face resistance from everyone in his decrepit army’s path (this is why you’re supposed to fund things with taxpayer money instead of simply stealing it for yourself). He’s getting desperate to turn this into a win. He may pull something NASTY if the oligarchs who actually control Russia don’t stop him from rendering their fortunes worthless.