Putin the prudent leader

In history after the ww2, no leader has extended his national territory like Putin did. The odds are even lesser if we seek for someone who has extended the national territory with military attacks like in the 18th century for example.

He commanded the Russian army in four successful military campaigns: Chechnya, Ossetia ,Crimea and Syria.

The style of war that he had up to now had to lead can be labelled as classical with a clear front, units dispatched massively and orderly, it is clearest with the Ossetian campaign.

Despite his military strength the territories that he has taken are quite limited, the time between each attacks are quite long in a human life span and for a successful military leader: nearly ten years have passed between the Ossetia campaign and the annexation of Crimea.

He earns even more points is that he didn't really seek for more gains after the Ossetia campaign. It is not rare that leaders lose it mentally after military success and need for more. at least it is not a risk with the Putin's reign.