DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Palus Politicus Russia tells US ambassador it will retaliate over Sevastopol missile strike

The conflict has cooled into trench warfare. This very much favors Russia in terms of it's ability to mobilize meat for the grinder.

Finland and Sweden in NATO is a boon, for sure... but Russia is clearly looking to expand and Ukraine is strategically located to allow that to continue.

I was also a big fan of Russia sacrificing it's economy and military for minimal gains... but here we are 2 years in and Putin hasn't lost much resolve. That Russian economic collapse hasn't happened... Putin seems to just be powering through it. I'm worried that the effects of those sanctions closer to the beginning of the conflict didn't quite bite as much as we were hoping, and now the rest of the world seems to be losing interest.

If NATO were to directly get involved, they'd wipe the floor with Russia. I just don't see that happening for a country that isn't in the alliance.


Supplying superior military equipment to the Ukrainians was supposed to allow them to fight off the Russians. It was meant as a way for the US to fuel a Russian defeat without direct involvement. By delaying the arms for last summer's counteroffensive, we allowed Russia to dig in and dictate that the conflict be a drawn out war of attrition. So our strategy was working until it got slowed up, and now it's not.

I feel you on the trench warfare aspect. While it’s not as big of a deal as it was back in the Cold War era, for a defensive only military like Ukraine, it’s a problem.

However, They have been fighting off the Russians though, For at least as long as reasonably possible. Keeping what was supposed to be the 2nd strongest military in the world at bay for 2+ years is an L for Russia. Having their ships destroyed by a country with no Navy is..lol.

Also, I think people need to be realistic here. This is not an experienced military in Ukraine. We have them superior weapons to defend themselves. It requires a much different mentality when regards to defending vs going on the offensive. Offensive warfare takes years of training + real world experience, something Ukraine was never gonna have prior to this invasion. Even without the delay, I didn’t think Ukraine could successfully push Russia completely out because they just aren’t built for that type of warfare.

We gotta remember, we aren’t talking about established military forces like the UK, or Germany. We’re talking about a 2nd world country just trying to survive from one day to another, and that was before this crap invasion by Putin.

So I look at it like this: imagine what Ukraine could’ve pulled off if they had real time and training in both offense and defensive capabilities with the REAL equipment that we and our NATO allies use. Oob, we still put restrictions on how they’re allowed to use the weapons we give them now. Imagine if we took the leash off.

I also think NATO would be willing to get directly involved. More of our allies have said they’re open to going in directly. Poland seems like they’re chopping at the bit for a go. France (surprisingly) wants some action, and Germany is looking for any reason to change their energy production woes. And it’s not like we have to invade Russia, although running up in a Moscow and saint petersberg while all the forces are focused on Ukraine would be quite the play.

I obviously don't know what will happen long term with the Russian economy. It seems to be held up now by the fact they're producing so much for the war - although that's neither value added, nor great for the long term. I'll have to find it, but I saw an interesting article that had two economists talking about how it might take time, but Russia is on the course for another collapse economically. I don't know if that's true or not, but they basically used the metaphor: "They are throwing their living room furniture into the fire (economy) to keep it roaring hot."

One can only hope. The only way I can see Russia leaving all of the claimed territory at this point is through an internal collapse. It seems like anytime even thinks about that in Russia, though, they end up in a Siberian prison.

I will say that India's thirst for oil does help Putin. In terms of oil and other trade, India is helping enable Putin to fund his war.

Yeah they and China are essentially economic locusts.