“But there is a feeling that the president’s orders no longer have the weight they once had, and most of them will continue to be ignored. Putin loses his grip, and turns into a “lame duck” in the eyes of his entourage.”
When the money runs out, the knives will come out.
There just is no graceful way for Putin to leave the stage (maybe feigned illness), and nobody that could resolve this crisis, without repudiating Putin.
They can’t defeat Ukraine militarily, they can’t afford to keep fighting like this after their stockpiles and financial reserves are depleted, and they can’t withdraw without Putin taking the blame for this disaster.
Hard landing for Russia seems likely
What are you talking about? Putins already died at least 53 times from various cancers.......
Hopium is a helluva drug.