So if the Russians really have troops in Kharkiv, as claimed (paratroopers I think), we need to come to reality here.

No matter how much we wish the Russians to fail, I think we should not underestimate the nature of this conflict.

I do not accept so many claims by alleged experts saying that the Russians, Putin in particular, have grossly miscalculated.

It is all too easy to think that someone else has to be as rational as your own arguments.

Putin may not mind at all how many Russian troops die.

They are shedding blood for their motherland. Their blood is thus the blood of saints.

Putin may simply believe, and he could be right, that no matter how many sanctions come his way, there will always be Russians who will die for the motherland.

He knows we Americans tire of things quickly. If this thing drags on for a couple of months the public will soon just move on to something else.