General Discussions

[Thryleon]

There are a few ways to measure 'failure'. Firstly, Putin's expectation was that this incursion would be swift, Zelensky would have fled, and the Ukraine would now be his - failure. On another level, the human level, civilian suffering and death - failure, though Putin would easily justify this as the price of 'nobility.' Excessive Russian military personnel deaths - failure, though Putin would easily justify this as the price of 'nobility.' Hardship for Russian citizens from sanctions - failure, though Putin would rely on his state media spin to pull the wool over the eyes of his citizens.

So far about the only thing Putin has achieved, in the broader view, is to galvanize billions of global citizens against Russia and to be sympathetic toward the Ukraine. Failure. And to have raised Zelensky to hero status... that must gall him.

About the only thing Putin has succeeded at thus far is murder, rape, confusion and suffering.

Are you sure thats what putin was thinking?

Some people have become mind readers.  If he wanted a swift victory, I suspect he might have sent in a scorched earth policy rather than the tinker round the edges approach they have employed until now.

The innocent people of all nations are the first and major casualties of any war but I find the mindset of "neutral observers" fascinating when they champion efforts that they look at through the lens of bad guys vs good guys.

Oh and when it comes to Ukraine, the russians consider this a civil matter rather than a war between two nations which speaks for why they aren't just killing at will and scorching the earth.