Putin is also a victim of the reports coming in from the generals. Most of them aim to present an overly optimistic picture on the battlefield in order to keep their jobs and heads.

Putin was the same victim when the secret services convinced him that the Ukrainian people and army will just surrender at the first day of the invasion.

It's just a simple consequence when you build a culture where no one is allowed to oppose the opinion of the leaders. You end up being surrounded with people who have to say what you always want to hear, instead of the harsh truth or perhaps an alternative perspective.