[linMcHlp]

R:

"My point was that Ukraine is fighting for her existence and that Russia is reaching beyond her strength."

- - -

Seems to me, that Russia has plenty of strength. Putin is running a cleansing campaign, with an available war opportunity to improve more-positive in appearance, Russian national stats.

Annex-ploitation is the "sports arena" of Moscow polity.

Putin is NOT fighting for freedom.

[Rockingham]

An effective national strategy requires that national needs be recognized and then translated into concrete objectives that address those needs, with resources and means directed toward attaining those objectives with a credible prospect of success at a reasonable cost. The plan to do that then becomes the national strategy. Putin's invasion of Ukraine fails on multiple levels.

As much as Ukraine has suffered, Russia has also experienced severe losses that she cannot make good. Touting annexation of territory from Ukraine will fool no one even though many Russians will pretend to believe. In time, when the reckoning comes, Russia is likely to lose more territory and influence than she has gained under Putin. As Yeltsin's era can be said to have been one of chaotic corruption and economic turmoil, Putin's will be known as one of disciplined corruption and grave strategic blundering that squandered any benefits to Russia's national position.