Why did Putin go too far? The rationality of Vladimir Putin’s decision to begin a war with Ukraine

The paper aims to determine the extent of rationality Vladimir Putin’s decision begin a war with Ukraine. Its central argument is that this was irrational on three levels. Firstly, Russian decision-making elites failed foresee ability Ukrainian army and people resist efficiently. It might have resulted from imperial superiority syndrome reinforced by experiences 2014. Secondly, treated reports army’s combat readiness as reliable did not make an effort verify them. Probably no one can scale kleptocracy, therefore has data quality preparation. Thirdly, envisage support for Ukraine Western democracies. What more, they take into account democratic politicians. same politicians who appeared Putin be weak incapable action, immediately after mass social protests condemnation Russia’s aggression public opinion, acted following clearly expressed will political nation. article reflects systemic reasons such poor definition situation then tries formulate general relationship between elite acceleration bifurcation processes autocratic regime.