Ukraine's successful ATACMS strike shows Russia's willingness to 'take it on the chin' when Kyiv gets new weapons

• The US was widely expected to transfer ATACMS missiles to Ukraine sometime this fall.
• But the Russians still appeared surprised when Ukraine fired ATACMS at air bases in October.
• Repeated failures to anticipate the arrival of new weapons has cost Russia heavily during the war.

In theory, supplying long-range weapons to the Ukrainians should allow them to disrupt the Russian military's operations by forcing it to disperse and protect its troops and installations.

But what if the Russians are simply willing to accept losses rather than change their plans?