Russia Has Already Lost
I happen to think Tyler is right on the money here. This invasion has completely backfired on Russia. Even if it seemingly succeeds, NATO is stronger and growing faster. Nobody among civilized nations wants to trade or do business with Russia now.
“Behind every blade of grass” is a gun nut canard. But in Ukraine, it’s a missile or scout or raiding party behind every blade of grass. Nowhere is safe. How many tanks have farmers towed off?
The flow of advanced man-portable anti-aircraft and anti-vehicle weaponry into Ukrainian hands has drastically increased since the war began. The stark reality is that there are now tens of thousands of anti-tank guided missiles and thousands of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) floating around the country with more on the way. Small arms, unguided rockets, and ammunition are also flowing into Ukraine from the west in huge quantities.
While all this is very problematic for the invading Russian force, it is a downright death sentence to any provisional or stooge government and its security forces that Russia plans to install should the legitimately-elected Ukrainian government fall.
With so much advanced weaponry already floating around the country and throngs of battle-hardened Ukrainians now proficient in how to use it in combat, any puppet administration and its facilitators will have no way to move around the country and execute their duties. Roads will become hellish missile engagement zones with no amount of armor capable of protecting a vehicle’s inhabitants. Travel by fixed-wing aircraft will be highly dangerous with airports becoming MANPADS death traps and helicopters will be juicy targets no matter where they go. These threats can emanate from virtually anywhere and melt back into the population in an instant.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/44592/russia-has-already-lost