Before he launched his war in Ukraine, Putin ordered his generals to plan a blitzkrieg on Kyiv. Russian forces would advance on the Ukrainian capital from two sides, overwhelm the opposition, and end the war quickly.

Things have not gone according to plan. His armies are bogged down all over Ukraine as soldiers and civilians alike mount a heroic struggle. 

So what went wrong for Putin?

1. Ukrainian resistance

For Russian soldiers, the whole country has become an enemy. The Ukrainian defence minister has said Russian forces "will be killed from every window in every Ukrainian city".

2. Zelensky the hero

Volodymyr Zelensky has emerged as one of the world's most charismatic leaders. He has refused to leave Ukraine even in the face of certain death if he is captured. He has rallied Ukrainians and the international community behind him.

3. Abandoned by allies

Putin is used to being at loggerheads with the West, but his invasion has also cost him friendships in Hungary, Czechia, China and Kazakhstan.

4. Economic collapse

In Moscow, people have queued from 5am to get money out of ATM machines, fearing that banks will start to limit withdrawals. This economic misery could easily turn into unrest.

5. Protests at home

Some unrest has already started. Thousands have come out across Russia to protest against the war, braving Russia's brutal police state.

6. Logistical problems.

The Russian army is quickly running out of supplies, and it is being forced to draft in conscripts to replace the soldiers wounded or killed.

7. The world piles in.

Russia has made a lot of enemies around the world. Many foreign fighters will be keen to go to Ukraine and help them repulse the invaders.

But some think Putin has already won. Russia is once again a big player on the world stage, and a power to be feared.

Yes: The world is standing with Ukraine and its people are fighting like lions for their country's freedom. It is a shattering defeat for Russia and its propaganda.

No: War is full of setbacks and there is always a Plan B. Putin has never lost a war and he has been preparing for this one for years. 

Or... Russia might defeat Ukraine but it will feel like a failure. It has alienated its global allies and lost its economic ties with the West, and its neighbours now hate and fear it more than ever.