The Ukraine war uses munitions at an incredible rate. Luckily, the old Soviet Union and its Allie’s were prepared for this type of conflict. As long as Ukraine fights Russia playing to Russia strengths people will die and the war will continue. Ukraine needs air superiority over the battlefield to break through. Likely, as Ukraine tires, combat aircraft will be inevitable, or….
If Ukraine can’t free itself and it’s lost territory,, I expect another solution as Biden leaves office. Divided Ukraine probably best served by Polish annexation of the free part. That will make it NATO territory. Putin will have placed his nation on the cusp of ultimate failure, lost all of his buffer ground, and enhanced failing NATO to make it unified and viable. Stupid war, stupid prizes.
The red line the Russians drew about Ukrainian NATO membership could not have been clearer. This will end in WWIII before it ends in full NATO membership. Any Polish crossing into Ukraine, with or without NATO concurrence, fast starts WWIII. No NATO and respect for the Minsk Agreements would have negated the necessity of any of this. Too late for that now. Donbas is gone.