Russia was continuing to take losses see this post: There is some complaining on the Russian side regarding Israel. While virtually all media blames the Ukraine for every weapon system that kills a Russian soldier or any civilian, there is some sort of anti-vehicle weapon that locals are suggesting is Israeli in origin, and it is apparently lethal. We searched arms databases for exports and couldn’t come up with anything, it may not be Israeli. There is a rumor circulating that some 50 armored vehicles and tanks have been destroyed by this weapon. The Russian UN ambassador was reportedly asked about it in the press conference today. I have not seen a transcript, but he reportedly did not answer the question.
This is from http://informationdissemination.blogspot.com

I think that the Russians did not have clear goals. To punish the Georgian was one but then to occupy Georgia and take out Saakashvili’s government was another. But they did not think this out clearly. They did not think they would get that much resistance from the Georgians and the world take was Russia was indulging in adventurism and an oil grab.

Russia thought Georgia would fold quickly and they could impose their puppet leader. Bush’s reaction yesterday indicated that he would support Georgia and probably is pushing Turkey to do something.