Scott, what are you talking about! Who said a war started in 2014? A political faction (separatists) who wanted to become part of Russia, not Ukraine, tried to create an autonomous region. EVEN TODAY Russia has never said it was going to war to annex anything. It's a "special military operation", right? If it was a war it was between Ukraine and separatists. So to say "the invasion of Ukraine in February was just an escalation of the same war" wouldn't make sense to anyone, Russian or Ukrainian! Or, only Ukrainians if they believe there were more "little green men" than separatists fighting.

If the Donbas is important to Russia they went to war with Ukraine to secure its independence. They never admitted to the little green men. So to Russia the war began in 2022--wait, THEY HAVE NEVER DECLARED WAR!

As for not giving up any territory in 4 months. Just go to livemaps or something and use the timeline. Russia gave up a lot of territor near Kyiv and to the North.

Shesh!