[Goose]

Putin can't just declare victory and quit. Too many Russians have died and the people will figure it out.

They've gone along with all the other thinly veiled, constantly changing lies, so I really don't see why not. Attack on Kiev was just a feint. Moskva sunk from a fire during a storm. It's not an invasion but a special military operation. The war is the fault of the US and NATO. Etc etc.

Because at the end of the day they are going to be less well off financially, their country will be a pariah, their money will be pretty much worthless, food will be short, and a lot of widows and orphans will want an explanation of where their soldier is. Putin will have failed in his mission to make the average Russian richer, more powerful and more laudable. Russians are very pragmatic. Once you cross the threshold, you go from great to awful very fast. Ask Gorby or Yeltsin.

[Goose]

Putin can't just declare victory and quit. Too many Russians have died and the people will figure it out.

They've gone along with all the other thinly veiled, constantly changing lies, so I really don't see why not. Attack on Kiev was just a feint. Moskva sunk from a fire during a storm. It's not an invasion but a special military operation. The war is the fault of the US and NATO. Etc etc.

Because at the end of the day they are going to be less well off financially, their country will be a pariah, their money will be pretty much worthless, food will be short, and a lot of widows and orphans will want an explanation of where their soldier is. Putin will have failed in his mission to make the average Russian richer, more powerful and more laudable. Russians are very pragmatic. Once you cross the threshold, you go from great to awful very fast. Ask Gorby or Yeltsin.