I don't know David. Tyrants like Putin have no problem causing suffering to their own people. Russians are tough, and though they have been hurt badly, Putin will not hesitate to drag another million poor saps into uniform and throw them into the fray. That's what they do. At some point the Russian soldier in the field will realize that he cannot just duck or run away and will fight with more vigor. I cannot see an end to this anytime soon. Hope I'm wrong.
I do think you're wrong in your analysis here on 3 counts:
1. I don't think Russians are particularly "tough." I think they are a sad, self-destructive culture that's been drinking itself to death for centuries. The Russian people as a whole don't intimidate me.
2. The Russian military does not intimidate me either. The Russians don't seem particularly good at fighting wars when they're not doing so through espionage and propaganda. And conscripted soldiers forced to fight are way worse than professional soldiers or soldiers like the Ukrainians that are fighting to protect their homeland. And how many potential Russian soldiers really WANT to fight Putin's war? Apart from the real evil SOBS you just want to rape Ukrainian women and children?
3. Here's how it can end soon: Putin dies in one way or another, either natural or "unnatural." While I sympathize with the Russian people being oppressed under Putin, my understanding of the numbers is that a good many Russians actually do like him and want him in power being their criminal czar. A people usually gets the leaders it wants and deserves, which reflects its inherent culture. It's the same thing here in America - and is why our politicians are so fucking stupid and narcissistic. It's the American way. And Putin is essentially the Russian Way. I don't see contemporary Russia as being significantly better than it was under Communism and Czarism. Putinism is largely the same thing.
1. Why should we not disrespect and not fear their military when it has clearly demonstrated itself to antiquated, ill-equipped, and so poorly led?
3. I do think it's entirely possible that Putin's replacement would have a different, less-insane, less murderous and imperial agenda. Then again, it's possible too we could get someone even worse than him! But I'm not sure who that might be. I suspect a new Russian leader would be more concerned with trying to fix the Russian economy then playing expansionist imperial games to secure some stupid legacy.
David, they are still on the battlefield. Ukrainians are still being killed--including combatants. News coming out of Ukraine is propaganda; news coming out of Russia is totally censored. I hope your take on this is correct.
I certainly respect your point. I am more analyzing this on a macro level. In a big picture analysis Russia has been failing in its overall objectives and it seems to me they are not properly equipped to compete their efforts to conquer Ukraine and eradicate the Ukrainian identity. But there is still much blood to be shed and all of it belongs on that motherfucker Putin's hands.
I don't know David. Tyrants like Putin have no problem causing suffering to their own people. Russians are tough, and though they have been hurt badly, Putin will not hesitate to drag another million poor saps into uniform and throw them into the fray. That's what they do. At some point the Russian soldier in the field will realize that he cannot just duck or run away and will fight with more vigor. I cannot see an end to this anytime soon. Hope I'm wrong.
I do think you're wrong in your analysis here on 3 counts:
1. I don't think Russians are particularly "tough." I think they are a sad, self-destructive culture that's been drinking itself to death for centuries. The Russian people as a whole don't intimidate me.
2. The Russian military does not intimidate me either. The Russians don't seem particularly good at fighting wars when they're not doing so through espionage and propaganda. And conscripted soldiers forced to fight are way worse than professional soldiers or soldiers like the Ukrainians that are fighting to protect their homeland. And how many potential Russian soldiers really WANT to fight Putin's war? Apart from the real evil SOBS you just want to rape Ukrainian women and children?
3. Here's how it can end soon: Putin dies in one way or another, either natural or "unnatural." While I sympathize with the Russian people being oppressed under Putin, my understanding of the numbers is that a good many Russians actually do like him and want him in power being their criminal czar. A people usually gets the leaders it wants and deserves, which reflects its inherent culture. It's the same thing here in America - and is why our politicians are so fucking stupid and narcissistic. It's the American way. And Putin is essentially the Russian Way. I don't see contemporary Russia as being significantly better than it was under Communism and Czarism. Putinism is largely the same thing.
1. You don't need to be intimidated. But I would not underestimate them.
2. ditto above. Conscripted or not, if they find themselves in a bad spot they will fight. It's not even a Russian thing.
3. Meaning that you believe Putin's replacement would be different. Like I said: hope so. Your last sentence is right on, and largely unacknowledged.
1. Why should we not disrespect and not fear their military when it has clearly demonstrated itself to antiquated, ill-equipped, and so poorly led?
3. I do think it's entirely possible that Putin's replacement would have a different, less-insane, less murderous and imperial agenda. Then again, it's possible too we could get someone even worse than him! But I'm not sure who that might be. I suspect a new Russian leader would be more concerned with trying to fix the Russian economy then playing expansionist imperial games to secure some stupid legacy.
David, they are still on the battlefield. Ukrainians are still being killed--including combatants. News coming out of Ukraine is propaganda; news coming out of Russia is totally censored. I hope your take on this is correct.
I certainly respect your point. I am more analyzing this on a macro level. In a big picture analysis Russia has been failing in its overall objectives and it seems to me they are not properly equipped to compete their efforts to conquer Ukraine and eradicate the Ukrainian identity. But there is still much blood to be shed and all of it belongs on that motherfucker Putin's hands.
That last sentence sums up both of our positions!