By Ben Aris in Berlin The shock of Russia’s surprise invasion of Ukraine on February 24 two years ago was quickly followed by awe at the heroic defence of Kyiv, then delight as Ukrainians fought back, popping the tops of tanks and running circles around the cloddish Russian forces. Optimism built to a crescendo when Kyiv struck a hammer blow in September, bursting through the Russian lines in the Kharkiv region and routing the Russian invaders, taking back control of hundreds of square kilometres. The month was crowned with the recapture of Kherson and Russia’s withdrawal to the left bank of t…