Big ships turn slow.
Once Russia began mobilizing, Ukraine is in long term trouble.
Ukraine performed impressive. But it’s a battle of David vs. Goliath that is fought over and over, every day.
Whatever tricks David had up his sleeve won’t work as well as the fight rages on. Goliath learns in this case.
Goliath has 3.5 times the population, about the same advantage in military aged males, far more GDP and PPP, far more manufacturing, far more native high tech and R&D.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/manufacturing-by-country. Compare the two!!!
If it weren’t for our money, Intel, weapons, logistics, training, and political top cover, Ukraine would been rolled up, fast. We offset some of the advantages Russia has by floating Ukraine economically, arming the crap out of them with high tech weapons, providing critical intel... But it only goes so far.
Unless we’re willing to put boots on the ground, the true long term critical variable in this function is people/manpower. Ukraine will bleed out long before Russia.
It's a different war. Ukraine is able to stay in the fight due to drones and satellites.
You can't really mass your armies like you're Genghis Khan.
“Goliath has 3.5 times the population, about the same advantage in military aged males, far more GDP and PPP, far more manufacturing, far more native high tech and R&D.”
Russia buys cannon fodder from Nepal.
Russia rents cannon fodder from North Korea.
Russia gets weapons from ... Iran!
Russia recalls WWII tanks from Indonesia.
Russia has depleted there reserve fund to pay for the war.
Corrupt Putin and the oligarchs have robbed the economy getting rich on the backs of the working.
David’s “trick” was God was on his side. And, no matter how long the fight might last, if God is with you, none dare be against you.
Russia, otoh, has Putin and he sure as hell ain’t no god, no matter what his worshipers here might say.
Their tiny Goliath putin is the "uncircumcised Philistine" in that story and definitely not a god.