Thanks for clarification. "we are winning so help us finish Putin" would never fly politically. Remember, the U.S. isn't after "regime change" (though that's EXACTLY what the world is after). Anyway, Russia is always attacking so "before spring" makes little sense to me. As for a huge combined-arms assault. Again, just don't see it; haven't seen in it. But that doesn't mean it won't happen. As you say, speculation.

From the beginning Putin has had the attitude that Russia is more manly than all the faggots in the West (to put in his/my generation-speak). Therefore, he will win the battles the West is too chicken-shit to fight.

The problem is he's a luddite. He has people print out Internet stuff and he reads them in colored folders. He just doesn't get it that war has changed. He's like Bjorn Borg who tried to make a come-back with an old tennis racket. Sure Russia can hold a line in trenches for months perhaps years. Roll through Ukraine with some super attack? We've been there before. Russia doesn't have the will or the logistical or technical means.

Sure, Ukraine may be a bloody mess. But they can hold a trench line too.

I need my warm milk to go to sleep. The world is a very depressing place ;) It saddens me all who die, both Ukrainian and Russian.