I'm not really surprised. Or that wrong.
Remember that Russia has been aiding the Donbas separatists (and other ethnic Russians) since the Crimea voted to "rejoin" Russia. The resistance within Ukraine's borders heated up after Maidan.
Toss in that if Russia really wanted to come in heavy, they could.
But does that make any sense given he's there to protect the ethnic Russians.
Nothing like a shitload of collateral damage of the people you are claiming to save to underline that Putin is a total asshole. If the dude had a brain, he would be using Ukraine as a backdoor to the EU and NATO.
I was under the impression that the KGB/FSB were somewhat competent. On the other hand, Vlad the Imputent, managed to make it up the hierarchy. Maybe it was the Peter Principle.
Anyway, this just began, there's plenty more time for Vlad to fuck it up.