General Discussions

[DJC]

Russia could wipe Ukraine off of the map if they wanted to.

Russia could wipe most of the world off the map if they wanted to.  However, even Putin is aware that Russia would be obliterated in return.

Ukraine was a major player in the manufacture of sophisticated military hardware in the days of the Soviet Union.  Those manufacturing facilities have been under Ukranian control for decades and continue to produce sophisticated weapons.  For example, the T-64 tank manufactured in Ukraine is a product of the 1960s but, with modernisation programs, is superior to the T-72, T-80 and T-90 tanks used by the Russians.

Ukraine's response is restrained because they know that Putin could deploy NBC weapons.  Russia's offensive is restrained because they know that NATO could spoil their party.