Putin surrounded himself with people who are mediocre but faithful. Unlikely any of them will become a game-changer.

The war that is not going too well could be our hope. During wartime, often middle-rank officers showing some talents are quickly advanced. With generals being killed and demoted, it could happen that a group of frontline officers with some sense of reality and decency will refuse to follow orders. Or switch to the Ukrainian side. Others might follow.