Again, agree with you!

On the subject of hypersonic missiles. they're always going to be limited by the laws of physics (to much friction/heat in flight), so to say. Neither Russia nor the U.S. can get around it.

Yes, I've pointed out that there's no money in manufacturing shells which is why the West hasn't given Ukraine what is promised.

If the West pulled support for Ukraine tomorrow Ukraine would be done. That's Putin's gambit and it's still very much in play.

What I disagree with you about is Russia's economy and defense industry. It's comparatively weak. Sure, there's more useless pork in U.S. defense spending than either you or I can imagine. But the network does matter. And it's network effect is off the charts compared to Russia. We can see this in Ukraine. Ukraine is in the Western "defense" network and is producing drones that reach further and further into Russia. They've been able to shut down the Black Sea for Russia. Where are the same Russian kids with countermeasures? They've left Russia or don't have the network to produce their ideas. A Rostec monopoly is NOT good for innovation. You'd think Russia would have learned that by now.

Will Russia get what it wants with Ukraine? I don't know. I don't think it makes a difference. I believe Russia has bankrupted itself by trying. Can Russia get Ukraine militarily IF (and it's a big IF) the West puts its back into it? No. That's where you and I diverge ;)