Hi Jack. In a sense, I view the war as part of a global generational shift. There's a lot of emphasis placed on what old Russians think in the Donbas and Crimea. Naturally, they want their pensions, etc. It is they who are learning the lesson that Russia abandons too ;)

One of my next stories will be how Russia hasn't taken a single piece of territory that doesn't build on what they already had--Luhansk in East; Crimea in South. Their military is too weak (whatever the reason) to take virgin territory, so to speak. Young men in those areas have now figured it out--best to get out or hide. So we only see interviews from old people in these areas. If there are interviews of young fighters in the Donbas or Crimea talking about how they will fight to keep those areas Russian I'd like to see them (not the Chechens please haha).

All that said, I see what you're saying and agree there will be no simple win for Ukraine. How Ukraine will be fckd I wouldn't hazzard a guess until we know what will replace Putin's regime. I don't know when that will happen but I feel certain it will.

As you know, I believe the media is making this into a fight between a strong Russia and weak Ukraine. Yes, Ukraine is corrupt, but in Russia you have that same corruption and a LOT to fight over. If tanks start firing again on government buildings in Moscow I will be the least surprised ;)

Oh and thanks for giving me a reason to procrastinate some more this morning!