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I think that's it. Too many old Cold Warriors, (and I served in the Navy in the 80s), have been led to believe that Russia is just the Soviet Union 2.0.

I served in the 70s, 80s and 90s...

I try to temper my own thoughts regarding Russia, as yes, old Cold Warriors usually have that baggage.

But, I can't stand to see all the phony posturing and lies about this whole war, with all the opinion dressed as news with blog sites and videos that each side promotes.

Looking at this scientifically, as a student of the military arts and history, it is apparent that the Russians are not 10 feet tall like we were all led to believe back in my career.

I think a lot of Cold Warrior reactions were based on this, as we all thought that the Soviets were are biggest rival and the Russians would also remain the same. A lot of "hate" for Russia is just fear.

However, it is plain to see they are having MASSIVE problems executing the war to their expectations. The Russians also have massive demographic issues--not enough babies being born for the past 25-30 years. That equates into manpower and soldiers but if they use human wave type tactics developed from the Soviet days today--they are in trouble. People, not machines and supplies, are their biggest vulnerability.

Again, I ask you to look at the war from a neutral standpoint. The Ukes have not quickly succumbed like we all thought they would.

They may yet, but why is it so they're still fighting? Are they the brink of collapse?

Is Russia winning?

You cannot find REAL answers on these threads because people's opinions are at stake.

My answer to those questions is that Russia will not win, nor will Ukraine. I wish Zelensky would accept a peace that sees the Donbas and Crimea go over to the Russians. You can call it an additional clean up after the Fall of the Soviets. The same thing happened to Eastern Europe between the World Wars and after. Sudetenland, Danzig, the Chekchs versus the Slovaks, all of Yugoslavia, were not "done" just based on the lines drawn in 1919.

Also, I think Russia owes Ukraine a massive $$$ to clean up the damage, but this can be mitigated by simply surcharging renewed gas sales to Europe.

I wish both these things--Ukraine gives up the territory that doesn't want them, and Russia pays for the damage, but those are just wishes on my part. From a purely neutral standpoint, neither is likely to happen. The war will go on without a win for either side. Death, destruction and horrible loses.