That take doesn't match history. Considering Russia didn't move on Ukraine while Trump was in office, but did so while Obama and Biden were... it would be more logical to suspect a more desperate Russia trying to solidify gains ahead of a Trump POTUS fearful that a change in administration would change the game for them. They know where Biden is at and Ukraine will lose without a change in the west.
They didn't in the Great Patriotic War either. In fact the Soviets had armed NKVD battalions behind the troops to encourage them to fight for the Motherland.They don't even try to hide war crimes, and Geneva violations any more
Huh???The alliance is stronger than ever. We are winning. Lets keep doing everything we're doing.
I give that guy 4-6months before he has an 'accident' arranged by the Ukrainians. Now that he's gone on record and seen this, he's a marked man for certain, even more than he already was 1 week ago before he made this video.They don't even try to hide war crimes, and Geneva violations any more
Unable through underestimation and hubris.Liberal West deluding itself.
Ukraine will win if all hold hands and chant kumbaya together!
Not so.
Sadly, history proved @Humphrey Bogart right. Mostly, in my estimation, because the West proved frustratingly unwilling - or worst, unable - to do what was necessary.
If Russia is bleeding their demographics, what does that tell you about Ukraine?Russia can afford the causalities for now, but their demographics says they are borrowing against their future. They are bleeding their future population dry. Even if they hold the regions after the war, they will have minimal economic value outside of Crimea proper.
The russian economy is short 5 million people to work in all sectors of the economy. This is growing by the day as they recruit more and more people to sustain casualty rates. This is why most intelligence is saying russian production will peak this year, and not likely increase without and increase in the labour pool AND additional raw materials/refining capacity.Russia can afford the causalities for now, but their demographics says they are borrowing against their future. They are bleeding their future population dry. Even if they hold the regions after the war, they will have minimal economic value outside of Crimea proper.
That took some 30 years to rebuild and the population has still not reached pre-war levels. You need people to clear the fields of UXO's first. So even when the war ends, it will take 15 years to see a significant harvest. Almost all of the heavy industry that Eastern Ukraine was known for is destroyed and the workers gone or dead. As I mentioned the Crimea itself is the only bit that will benefit Russia and they had that since 2014. Russia does not need land, they need competent leadership at the municipal and State level, but they don't have it.If Russia is bleeding their demographics, what does that tell you about Ukraine?
Disagree, the farmland alone is worth something.
As for what will happen to the conquered areas, Grozny offers a clue:
View attachment 83614
Think Albert Speer and Fritz Todt in 1943/44 and then again in early 1945.The russian economy is short 5 million people to work in all sectors of the economy. This is growing by the day as they recruit more and more people to sustain casualty rates. This is why most intelligence is saying russian production will peak this year, and not likely increase without and increase in the labour pool AND additional raw materials/refining capacity.
Russian drone with 10Km long fibre optic comms line.
The russian economy is short 5 million people to work in all sectors of the economy. This is growing by the day as they recruit more and more people to sustain casualty rates. This is why most intelligence is saying russian production will peak this year, and not likely increase without and increase in the labour pool AND additional raw materials/refining capacity.
Devil is in the details, if you look their GDP growth is fueled by the defense industry. If the war ends and that dries up. It would be economic doomRussia's GDP (1.8 Tn) is on the upswing and is equivalent to Canada's, thanks largely to natural resources like gas and oil.
Paying for a small war is costing them a tiny fraction of that amount and, depending on who rules the autocracy, could conceivably continue forever.
Time for Raytheon to update TOW with an FPV camera and fibre optic 'wire' so the operator can be moving and unexposed/hidden as soon as the shot is outRussian drone with 10Km long fibre optic comms line.
Challenge is: "How much of the GDP goes into personal coffers to ensure they remain loyal"? KSA has a production cost of $5-10 a barrel and a "Social cost" of $60 to maintain the current power structure As an example of the issue.Russia's GDP (1.8 Tn) is on the upswing and is equivalent to Canada's, thanks largely to natural resources like gas and oil.
Paying for a small war is costing them a tiny fraction of that amount and, depending on who rules the autocracy, could conceivably continue forever.
Time for Raytheon to update TOW with an FPV camera and fibre optic 'wire' so the operator can be moving and unexposed/hidden as soon as the shot is out