I don't have sympathy for Russians anymore. Their military is a mess and they treat their soldiers like cannon fodder. And a lot of them still support Putin.
They get what they deserve.
@Weird Tolkienish Figure Don't hate or blame the typical Russian for this. They are little more than slaves,and they obey the orders of their masters,or go into a labor camp. Sometimes their families may even be kicked out of the apartment the state ALLOWS them to live in,and then,as homeless people,they end up in a Siberian labor camp,also.
I do THINK the Soviet leadership has taken SEVERAL steps too far this time,and and their system just might blow up on them this time.
After all,most of their military is now getting their asses handed to them by Ukraine ,and I just don't see any way the Soviet leadership can survive a massive military defeat against a small country they expected to occupy in a week or so.
Not to mention that this is not 1940,and no matter how much the Soviets hate it,the FACT is their citizenry now has access to western news reports. The Soviet death grip over the Russian population is on it's way out. Maybe not this year,but most likely within the next 5.
Even if I am wrong,it should be REALLY interesting to see who the "Masters of Russia" pick to replace Pooty Poot when he has his sudden massive heart attack. I am positive they are going to try to find someone who can be "sold" to the masses as a "moderate",but whose strings only THEY pull.
Kinda like the DNC and Biden.