Rules of war

Old time military people say if you are going to war, go to win or don't go. During WW2 while the Nazi's were killing innocent people and Stalin was doing the same the Allies were bombing cities in Germany and Japan indiscriminately burning civilians alive. The result was an update of rules of war in the Geneva Convention. No more killing civilians on purpose or allowing people to starve and thus came the phrase collateral damage. Since that time war for western countries especially the United States has been a start and stop affair controlled more by politicians than generals. It appears that Putin is reverting back to the rules in play before WW 2.