Putin didn’t start this war because he specifically hated Ukraine and wanted it destroyed, even at the cost of Russia’s existence. He started it because he wanted to make Russia great again. In that regard the war is an utter failure.
In that regard the war is an utter failure.
Objectively, yes, but do the Russian people now that? And if they did, could they even do anything to stop the failed war? I kinda doubt it. If Russia wins, Putin will sell it as some kind of amazing victory and his followers will gobble it up while dissenters will either be defenestrated or locked up.
Why does it matter if the Russian people know that? It’s not like they can will more tanks into existence, or just imagine foreign trade and get tangible goods as a result.
Russia’s actual real physical power has been broken by this war. Their demographic future is doomed. Their economy is in ruins. It doesn’t matter if the Russian people are happy with that, they can paint big “Z” marks on their wretched hovels in patriotic ecstasy and it won’t have any actual impact on anything.
It’d be ideal if Ukraine could have an outright victory and end the war fast, but failing that all that’s necessary is for Ukraine to survive and it can wait out Russia’s collapse.
