[ceejayoz]

> What does the Russian economy have to do with anything?

They had more of that industrial capacity you're talking about than Ukraine, more tanks, more armaments, more weaponry.

It still didn't let them win. Because the quality matters too.

> First off, they're run by a kleptocratic oligarchy…

I have some awkward news about the US in recent years.

[CPLX]

This is just an example of the fundamental nature of asymmetric insurgent warfare and the nature of proxy conflicts. It's not like Vietnam was more powerful than the US economy either. You seem confused.

In an all-out existential battle Ukraine would have been wiped off the map in the first 20 minutes by nuclear weapons. This isn't an actual contest of industrial might versus industrial might.

[philipkglass]

"In an all-out existential battle" involving nuclear weapons, the United States won't be affected by the presence or absence of domestic car factories either. World War II could soak up years of total warfare effort from the belligerents, and still have factories and governments intact to send more soldiers and bombs toward the enemy. I don't think that can happen now that countries as poor as North Korea can make nuclear weapons.

[ceejayoz]

> This is just an example of the fundamental nature of asymmetric insurgent warfare.

Plus overconfidence, and outdated Russian tactics and equipment.

The US would be wise not to fall in the "our army bigger" trap too.