The fact they didnt stay in Kiev does betray the actual rationale behind Russia's invasion of Ukraine though; they never wanted to or intend to kill Ukraines leadership, they want to intervene in the killings of people in SE-East native Russians following the 2014 conflict, this looks like holding as much of the land in the east as they can.

I know its a meme to say but the invasion in Kiev was likely a bluff to sow confusion.