IMO nobody can predict ho the morale of Russia and Ukraine will evolve. However, all of us "westerners" need to be reminded that both countries have a population that is historically fatalistic. The population is probably not going to have much say on how long the war continues. They will endure what they are told to endure. The war will end when one side or the other achieves it's military goals or can no longer physically continue fighting. Economic forces are important here to both sides.
I am not too disappointed at where Ukraine is in it's offensive. If Ukraine can cut the land bridge, even if it doesn't get to the sea of Azov, Crimea will be much more difficult to supply. All those troops in all those fortifications need food and water. If they have to fight, they also will need vast quantities of ammunition and casevac. Russia will be very, very hard put to do this on the required scale via the bridge. After the dam was blown (and actually before) the water supply to Crimea was cut off. It will be a long cold winter in South Kherson Oblast for lots of Russians if Ukraine can accomplish that mission. The bridge then becomes critical. If Ukraine can cut the rail link, Crimea is toast. There is no way Russia can support all those people by ferries, even if Ukraine doesn't interfere. The Taurus missiles, if supplied by Germany, could make Russians really, really nervous about that bridge. The long range of this missile opens up attack possibilities that do not cross Crimea proper. There are very strong air defenses in Crimea proper. Over the Black Sea, not so much.
I am not too disappointed at where Ukraine is in it's offensive. If Ukraine can cut the land bridge, even if it doesn't get to the sea of Azov, Crimea will be much more difficult to supply. All those troops in all those fortifications need food and water. If they have to fight, they also will need vast quantities of ammunition and casevac. Russia will be very, very hard put to do this on the required scale via the bridge. After the dam was blown (and actually before) the water supply to Crimea was cut off. It will be a long cold winter in South Kherson Oblast for lots of Russians if Ukraine can accomplish that mission. The bridge then becomes critical. If Ukraine can cut the rail link, Crimea is toast. There is no way Russia can support all those people by ferries, even if Ukraine doesn't interfere. The Taurus missiles, if supplied by Germany, could make Russians really, really nervous about that bridge. The long range of this missile opens up attack possibilities that do not cross Crimea proper. There are very strong air defenses in Crimea proper. Over the Black Sea, not so much.