[pphysch]

This article is based on the flawed premise that the Russia-Ukraine war was overwhelmingly one-sided in Russia's favor, eliding the fact that Ukraine had, over nearly a decade, amassed the next largest land army in Europe, trained by NATO, armed by NATO, guided by NATO intelligence, and side-by-side with Western PMCs.

In many aspects, they were peer competitors on the battlefield. The "paper tiger" argument would have made more sense had Russia unsuccessfully invaded Kiev in 2014. But a lot can change in 8 years.

Yes, Russia has had the advantage in long-range strike capability, but they chose not to strike command centers early in the war (contrast with the surprise airstrike on Saddam Hussein's palace 20 years ago, which kicked off Washington's unprovoked invasion).

[lisasays]

Amassed the next largest land army in Europe, trained by NATO, armed by NATO, ..

Utter BS, both in terms of raw numbers and contextually -- in "eliding" the fact that they were invaded by a certain neighboring country in 2014.

As you are perfectly aware. Please stop posting nonsense like this.

[pphysch]

Yes, Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea induced NATO to heavily militarize Ukraine.

Were you not aware of this? It was kept quiet, but not exactly secret.

> Since Crimea was annexed in 2014, the U.S. and partner militaries have helped grow Ukraine’s forces from just over 100,000 troops to nearly 250,000 [in 2017]. Just since January, Capt. Christopher’s unit of 250 soldiers has added another 3,000 or so Ukrainian soldiers to Kiev’s ranks.

https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2017/10/ukraine-us-trains...

[lisasays]

The language in your post (particularly where you say "over a decade") misleadingly suggests that there was significant buildup pre-2014. And that poor, frightened Russia has just reacting the way any country would, in response to this imagined buildup.

[pphysch]

How is 8 years not "nearly a decade"? How is +150% over 3 years "imagined"? I understand this is an emotional topic for some, but let's not be obtuse about the basic numbers.

[lisasays]

How is 8 years not "nearly a decade"?

By invoking the number "10", subtracted from 2022 -- you're making an allusion to Russia's claims that it was significantly threatened by Ukraine's buildup or NATO musings pre-2014 to do, well -- what it just had to do to protect itself.

How is +150% over 3 years "imagined"?

When it alludes to the pre-2014 situation -- as your post does.