One more point regarding escalation...
Putin claims Patriot systems not as good as Russian missiles, pledges to destroy them. "The Patriot is quite an outdated system, it doesn't work as well as our S-300 (surface-to-air) missiles," Putin told journalists. "Let them supply them - we'll destroy them as well."
You see? Putin can't do nothing about it, so he downplays it. If you show strength, this mafia thug backs down. If you show weakness, he attacks. Forget this stupid 'escalation' thing. It only works in Kremlin's favor. Indecesiveness prolongs the war. If Ukraine would receive enough ATACMS, tanks and HIMARS, war would end in several months.
Russia (as imperialistic unit) must be destroyed. The End.