Good argument. Counterpoint - we are seeing quite a bit of footage of destroyed Russian vehicles, and several attempts to move fast have failed including the air-assault operation west of Kiev that faltered and had to wait for mechanized formations to arrive from the north. This doesn't suggest that Russia is pacing itself. This suggests that the Russian military is trying to move as fast as possible, at the cost of some additional losses and less recon and planning.
Im wary of gauging losses based on either involved party releases or social media. Russia seems to have done very little to indicate losses for either side in the sense of footage etc. Consider their awareness of footage use in Armenia-Azerbaijan, as well as their own use of it re Syrian operations.
Id also argue that seeing losses when at this pace does not mean there would be fewer losses if they moved faster or slower. Initial losses are not really known, nor do we know relative losses.
Regarding the airport and the ground relief necessary, I dont think the localised initial failure of an air assault resulting in urgent ground relief means it is a trend or greater sign of overall panic, rush, pressure, or stress. I think if an assault force is to be overrun, youd rush to relieve them. Isnt this also what has occurred for western forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, even when there is no suggestion it means their respective armies were being overrun or that they were failing elsewhere.
In terms of indications of rushing and thus being less careful with recon and so forth, this pressure or rush would have seen faster use of reserves and other VDV elements, one would assume. If they are under pressure and faltering, would they withhold such forces? Would they not be going all out if they thought they were stalling? And frankly, I think theyd be relying on overwhelming firepower by now. I also get the impression that Russian pressure to get things moving would see much more aerial involvement, including freer use of dumb munitions. These arent things we are seeing.
Id also ask where the pressure comes from. I dont find it credible that he feels this huge domestic pressure, or that this is pressure that comes and goes in a few days. If he has pressure, itll be about the outcome, not what happens in a few days. It isnt exactly like Russia is awash with updates on the ground anyway.
Put it this way, given what we DO know, if they werent under pressure and had a plan, what would they be doing so differently form what they are doing.
Id also ask where we are seeing evidence that Ukraine is actually performing well militarily? Is this based on the relative speed of movements? or assumed losses? Id be very weary of either being used as a gauge. The response of handing out automatic weapons in the thousands to untrained civilians, asking civilians to make as many molotov cocktails as they can and to sue them against russian vehicles, and the steps taken in terms of men of conscription age do not suggest to me the Ukrainians believe their performance is what outlets such as Sky, BBC, CNN, etc seem to be implying. This is no slight on Ukrainian forces, to be clear.