Putin started the war without getting back all the Russian money from foreign countries. This doesn't make any sense. Now Russia has lost billions, that will be used by Ukraine to fight Russia.
Foreign funds held abroad have *never been confiscated during war before.* Ever. Even during World War II, Germany’s external funds were simply frozen in American and British banks. He had no reason to believe otherwise.
Opsec
Putin didn't own all that money. It belonged to other Russians.
Putin intended for this to be over quickly. He thought he'd drive in there like America drove into Iraq.