Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Why would they be close to collapsing? They're still selling gas and oil, and while there are sanctions, I'd imagine it's not hard to go around them by buying the banned goods from China or India or somewhere similar.

If they are spending more (paying for the war and paying to prop up the ruble) then they are earning from selling oil and gas (oil which they have had to severely discount for China/India to buy) then it's unsustainable.

What banned goods would you be referring to?

China won't bypass sanctions on airplane parts, so they can't look to China for them.

Putin is also hamstringed by this being a "special operation" rather than a war.

Their losses so far are catastrophic. It would seem they have lost probably close to between 30-40% of their best tank forces.

Obviously, in a war-time footing, under normal circumstances, these losses could be replaced.

But they are not on a war footing, likely won't be given the circumstances, and they are also crippled by sanctions which affects their ability to build replacement weapons including tanks.

I really cannot see how the Russian military can sustain these losses and keep throwing meat into the grinder much longer. It seems they are angling for one great "prize" they can call a success before engaging in negotiations that allow them to slither home.

The Russian military won't inherently collapse but it will become increasingly ineffective under the current scope of the conflict until it eventually turns into a WWI style attrition war with no sign of resolution on the horizon.

You're ruining Fallout 3 for me.

I'd actually question if they can hold the land bridge to Crimea and further afield to Odesa. Half the battle is taking it, the other half is keeping it.

A spineless turd more concerned with serving his own ego than real integrity.

There’s a passage in Ernest Hemingway’s novel The Sun Also Rises in which a character named Mike is asked how he went bankrupt. “Two ways,” he answers. “Gradually, then suddenly.”

The sanctions need time. Russians are tough and used to hardship, and what's going on under the bonnet of the economy will be kept hidden from the masses, but unless they reach a deal on the war the collapse will come hard when it does come.

Didn't see this posted earlier, claims that Ukrainian forces took out a command centre which had two generals in it, along with a lot of command staff

https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3465606-ukraine-army-destroys-enemy-command-operations-center-eliminates-two-russian-generals.html

Yes the filthy war will stop ( and the sooner the better) but no matter when it will stop finally, Russia will be the loser,,,they're losing already , even if it does not seem like that. Where do you see an ever weakening Russia and an increasingly powerful Ukraine 6 mths ( or less) from now? No matter what they take territory -wise, Ukraine will never let them keep it. And rightly so, and as for what will be left of the Culture and People?. Remember that there's 40+ million of them, and all of them prepared to fight for their future. No, when Putin's invasion is only a memory, Ukraine will still exist, proud and strong.

Something another Poster said a few pages back, but it's worth repeating. Quote:-

Dzoker Dudaev , Chechan President.

The first president of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.

A real Chechen with a capital letter, to whom today's rabble of Kadyrov is no match (and, in principle, it is difficult to call them Chechens).

Dudaev was wise and smart. And Russia does not tolerate such people.

About Ukraine, he said this:

“The biggest mistake is to neglect the Ukrainians. Consider Ukrainians weak. Offend the Ukrainians. Never offend Ukrainians. Russia will end when the Ukrainian sun rises.” UnQuote

Under the circumstance's, might be worthwhile bearing his words in mind.

The same user dropped the same rhetoric in a few days ago and then ran away, no doubt they'll be back next week with the same thing, while pretending to be anti-war.

This is a bit of a slap in the face for Zelenskiy - yeah I'll get to you soon, but I need to meet the invader first so just hang tight there

You know the same UN that voted to kick out Russia for all the crap they're doing but they come first when they need a chin wag - almost as bad as Germany's back peddling (which I see another company calling them out today by proffering aid if the government says ok)

Certainly not mincing their words. 😲

Understandable.