Putin will fight to the bitter end, and may bring the whole of Russia down with him

 

Putin’s War of Attrition Grinds On — Ignoring Peace, Reason, and Reality

Despite a reportedly generous peace offer brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin has chosen to escalate rather than de-escalate the war in Ukraine. Relentless drone and missile strikes continue to hit Kyiv and other cities, though they result in comparatively few casualties. Meanwhile, the Russian military grinds slowly forward in the Donbas and around Sumy, incurring staggering losses — sometimes up to 1,000 a day — for mere kilometers of terrain.

So what’s the strategic endgame here?

The answer may lie in the isolated world Putin now occupies — one shaped by loyal generals and security elites who continue to feed him a winnable narrative. Putin reportedly still believes that if he pushes hard enough, military victories are within reach. One such goal: the capture of Sumy, a strategic city near Russia’s border. Although he publicly downplays intentions to seize it, Russian forces have steadily advanced toward the region in recent months. Still, recent reports suggest their offensive has stalled — for now.

Some Western observers claim Russia’s summer push is petering out. Others warn it’s just beginning. Russian forces recently took a lithium mine near Shevchenko, dealing a blow to Ukraine’s post-war development ambitions. The next offensive may force Ukraine to stretch its limited troops even thinner across a vast 1,200-kilometer front.

But how does Russia's military still function under such dysfunction? Reports from even pro-war Russian bloggers describe terrifying conditions: bribe-taking commanders, brutal punishments, and poorly equipped troops sent into “meat assaults” with little support. Soldiers face harsh reprisals for minor mistakes — from public beatings to death or suicide missions.

Yet, criticism rarely touches Putin himself. Many in Russia still support the war, or have simply adapted to its presence, treating it like bad weather — frustrating, but distant. “We just need to finish giving the Ukrainians a kicking,” one citizen said, “Trump will sign a peace, and we can forget this stupid war ever happened.”

That kind of thinking fuels the status quo. Putin, rejecting all calls for reason or compromise, seems intent on continuing this destructive path — no matter the toll in lives or resources.