Russia and Ukraine

[Thumpalumpacus]

Their weapons aren't great, and of course many of them are indeed outdated. But I think they're pretty capable of developing some very high-tech stuff if they could find the funding, which has been the main thing hamstringing the Russian military for the last three decades. They didn't need a war to develop the S-500 or the Kalibr cruise missile, among other programs, for instance.

Well, it looks like Russia is going to lose this one, unless they use nuclear weapons.  Over the last few weeks Ukraine has been steam-rolling over them.

Sure, but that's not really a result of technological deficiency; both sides fielding equipment of similar vintage at the start of the war. That has of course changed with Western gear rolling in, but the reason the Russians are losing has to do with failures of leadership, doctrine, tactics, and poor-quality troops.

 

Who's to say that some political border on some map is going to stop them?  Why not just drive their tank columns to Moscow to arrest Putin & Friends on the spot?

Well, Montgomery's first rule of war is "don't march on Moscow", and despite his many flaws that's one thing he got dead to rights. There's also the whole supply-line thing too.

The Ukrainians are already doing short strikes into Russia, hitting an oil plant, and supply and recruit depots. That makes good sense to me. Marching on Moscow? Not so much.