Russia hasn't been at war with the US-Ukronazis since the first 48-72 hours of the SMO, they've been fighting the US and its Nato lackeys ever since. The result has been the steady depletion of Nato equipment and a fair few Nato mercenaries to the point where American Caesar can't contemplate an open war against Russia.

Ever since Putin showed that he was intent on restoring Russian sovereignty, rather than being the west's figurehead, a sober Yeltsin, a war like this has been probable, if not inevitable. Putin et al. have played a weak hand with skill and are winning.