[GK3]

At the risk of posing a rhetorical question, what do the Russians stand to gain from continuing to fight this war?  They can lay waste to Ukrainian towns and kill Ukrainian people.  At a of immense proportions cost to Russia.  But it does not seem like the Russians will net natural resources, intact cities, or anything else of value.

It never did make sense on any level. It is a total vanity operation by Putin. There are lots of things Ukraine could do for Russia, and visa versa. There are natural economic synergies between the two countries that were nurtured by many years under a common flag. Yelsin actually thought both Belarus and Ukraine would vote to stay in the Russian Federation for those reasons. However, after Russia's actions in 2014 and subsequently, none of that is possible. Putin is a fool.

Goose, let me offer one thread of logic from Russian standpoint for this tragic effort--and as I do this know that despite what I lay out I think it was and is a horrible mistake on many levels.  Russia has been invaded from Europe many times over the centuries, which is enabled by lack of barriers such as mountains or large water bodies.  THus, Russia desires a "buffer" of land in protection of Russia proper.  Having NATO on its doorstep is something Putin always detested, and may have increasingly wanted to reverse before he leaves power--and he is probably watching his clock.  Superimpose that core belief with the reality of Russia's demographic decline, and he may have adopted a mentality of, "If we don't do this now, Russia is condemned to strategic vulnerability for the foreseeable future".  Almost now or never.  And yes, vanity definitely plays in.

NATO is the ultimate straw man for Putin and anyone else in Russia trying to make it into the boogeyman.

Putin is presiding over a shrinking population.  Conquering someone else and putting their population with yours make you look better.  Very difficult for a country to grow economically when there is a declining demand for products.

[GK3]

At the risk of posing a rhetorical question, what do the Russians stand to gain from continuing to fight this war?  They can lay waste to Ukrainian towns and kill Ukrainian people.  At a of immense proportions cost to Russia.  But it does not seem like the Russians will net natural resources, intact cities, or anything else of value.

It never did make sense on any level. It is a total vanity operation by Putin. There are lots of things Ukraine could do for Russia, and visa versa. There are natural economic synergies between the two countries that were nurtured by many years under a common flag. Yelsin actually thought both Belarus and Ukraine would vote to stay in the Russian Federation for those reasons. However, after Russia's actions in 2014 and subsequently, none of that is possible. Putin is a fool.

Goose, let me offer one thread of logic from Russian standpoint for this tragic effort--and as I do this know that despite what I lay out I think it was and is a horrible mistake on many levels.  Russia has been invaded from Europe many times over the centuries, which is enabled by lack of barriers such as mountains or large water bodies.  THus, Russia desires a "buffer" of land in protection of Russia proper.  Having NATO on its doorstep is something Putin always detested, and may have increasingly wanted to reverse before he leaves power--and he is probably watching his clock.  Superimpose that core belief with the reality of Russia's demographic decline, and he may have adopted a mentality of, "If we don't do this now, Russia is condemned to strategic vulnerability for the foreseeable future".  Almost now or never.  And yes, vanity definitely plays in.

NATO is the ultimate straw man for Putin and anyone else in Russia trying to make it into the boogeyman.

Putin is presiding over a shrinking population.  Conquering someone else and putting their population with yours make you look better.  Very difficult for a country to grow economically when there is a declining demand for products.