[allendale]

Not sure about the accuracy of those numbers. However the Russians have also lost not only their men and equipment but their reputation as well. The world now knows that their conventional forces are not the juggernaut that was once so feared and respected. Europe will be perceiving and treating Russia much differently and far less deferentially after this war is over.

[SpeedyInTexas]

At the beginning of this war, I felt Russia would eventually conquer the whole country but a Ukrainian insurgency could go on for years and drive the Russians out.

Now, I’m thinking they can’t conquer the whole country. If the fight in the eastern half of the country has been tough, just wait until they try to take western Ukraine.

Not taking the whole country means an insurgency is even more potent. Western Ukraine can continue to receive arms over the border from NATO, provide a safe haven, hospital care, etc.

I really think Little Pukin is F*ed. Russia will eventually lose this war.

[ThunderSleeps]

...but their reputation as well.

Excellent point. There had been at least a little bit of believing the Russians were 10 ft tall and unstoppable. I'll admit when I heard they had initiated the invasion I thought "Well that s**ks, it'll be over for Ukraine in a matter of a few days." Apparently not so.

Due to some combination of tentative/restrained or ill-conceived plan, tactical incompetence, Ukrainian resolve, celebrity endorsements, and Ukrainian flags posted on social media...(ok, those last two are not serious) the Russians have shown themselves to not be the armored fist everyone expected.

[xkaydet65]

A ground force of 250K is a lot different from Brezhnev’s Red Army of the 70s. Until Reagan’s rebuilding the only thing that kept the Reds at bay was Arthur and nukes and the belief we’d use them. Had they moved thru the Fulda Gap in 77 they’d have been at the Rhine in a week.

[clearcarbon]

" The world now knows that their conventional forces are not the juggernaut that was once so feared and respected."

That's not good for Russian arms sales nor is it good for Russia to look weak to China. To Russia, China must be looking uglier every day with its continuing theft of American technology as well as it's build up of modern arms and advancement into space.

[dware]

The world now knows that their conventional forces are not the juggernaut that was once so feared and respected.

I've been thinking that myself. Seems Putin sorely underestimated the will of the people of Ukraine. If Ukraine can hold off the invaders this long, and with such losses, well, Russia ain't got nothing on more advanced and developed Countries.

Except, they have nukes, and a dictator crazy enough to use them...