I am curious about what brings you to that conclusion. I ask in the spirit of genuine curiosity.
Russia over the past thirty years, despite very spotty political leadership, was slowly recovering from the debilitation of nearly ninety years of suffocating, murderous communism. Its people were becoming productive, foreign investment in all sectors was increasing and Russia, an inherently wealthy country seemed to be transforming itself. Now thanks to either paranoia or sheer bad judgment Putin has wiped most of that away. The foreign investment, which not only created wealth but intellectual exchanges that led to insights will largely cease. Ukraine will not be a thirty day campaign followed by a docile pro Russian regime. It will be worse than Afghanistan. The Russians will find it a debilitating sore that ultimately will cause consternation within Russia. Russia in the end will be weaker, less politically stable and poorer. Yet as Pasternak said ,the Russian people accept such things and have a loathsome capacity for suffering.
I too would like more information about allendale’s opinion. I have made similar comments, probably now in the 300s. My son is retiring from Special Forces, so I will want his thoughts when I can talk with him.