Have you read Intel Slava? I posted links, can again.
It looks to me as though the war is won already, and yesterday I read something about Zelensky is ready to make a deal with Russia. The retreating Ukrainian military (not sure if just the Nazi battalions or the regulars) are shooting their wounded as they retreat.
NATO said Ukraine can’t join, Ukrainian mil are shelling Ukrainians, sailors left their ships en masse, mercenaries are shuttle to the front lines to get killed and disheartened or running away. Meanwhile RU and Chechens are bringing massive aid to Ukrainian citizens - food, etc.
Intel Slava has great info.
Saw Poguetry last night at Brooklyn Bowl. About halfway into the show, the band brought out a “Ukrainian” guy wrapped in a Ukrainian flag who shouted something to the audience in what I suppose was Ukrainian. The crowd (45-65 years old...I mean, who remembers The Pogues) cheered and applauded. No surprise there.
The lead singer said something like “We need to stand up to a thug who pummels a country because he’s not happy with the size of his d!&$.” Real geopolitical insight there. Ahem. I was waiting for the obligatory smear of President DJT but it never came.
My friend didn’t react to any of this. He simply could have been put off by the interruption to the music. I didn’t ask.
I prefer to believe his reaction, which mirrored mine, was because he knows, or at least suspects, it’s all bull$!#%.