Quote (ferdia @ 15 Dec 2023 14:52)
my point is, the numbers dont matter. Russia is taking this conflict very seriously and the ends justify the means for them.
I think is the crux of the problem.
Both Ukraine and Russia are fully committed. Losses do not matter at this point - its survival of the fittest.
Russia is able to run this war with minimal tech help from NK, Iran, China and whoever else wants to chip in - but would probably be able to stall advance to a halt without external support. Sanctions didnt ruin the Economy, Political environment seems to be quite stable around Putin. What little material dissent Russia had in opposition or the likes of Prigozhin have been 100% neutralized. Military tech Russia is able to put out (tanks, ammo, drones) seems to be able to keep them in the game. You can joke about outdated tech that Russians have to use or develop - but you cant diminish its effectiveness and getting war stuff done.
Ukraine is economically, politically and militarily bankrupt at this point and fully relies on external support to continue playing this game and throwing people into the grinder.
The problem lies with external supporters of Ukraine who are unwilling to fully commit to this and lower their living standards by weaponizing their economies in full support of Ukraine in their predicament. It just doesn't fly with an average American or European voter why they should accept a 50% salary cut so that Mykola could win over Ivan. They just don't honestly care beside the generic "war is bad, stop killing each other, stop the agressor" and noone can blame them.