Obviously...

 I will just point out a few obvious things about the invasion of Ukraine here. 

 Putin originally claimed that this was a "peacekeeping" mission in Luhansk and Donetsk, after declaring what are basically cities to be independent countries. Oddly, it's questionable if Russian forces are really even in control of those two areas at the moment. 

 Of course, it's also worth noting that a week before Putin made his "peacekeeping" claim, he stated that Russia would not invade Ukraine.

 Instead, Russian troops have leveled large areas of these newly-recognized 'independent countries' and killed a lot of civilians as part of their "peacekeeping" efforts. A shortage of food and fuel has also meant that these "peacekeeping troops" are looting and stealing supplies from civilians. 

 Everyone knew Putin's excuse for the invasion was a complete lie. As soon as the "peacekeeping mission" began, Russia began attacking from the north and south -- far from Donetsk and Luhansk. 

 As I've said previously, this was planned as three-day affair and supplied as such. Obviously, it stalled badly. Of course, Russian media is just today stating that Ukraine is "peaceful", with no fighting going on. This is so blatantly false that no one trusts Russian reports. Ukraine has totally won the information war, almost by default. Western media has relied completely on Ukrainian reports, but that hasn't stopped them from their typical "both-sides" habit. 

 Rather than state the obvious -- that Russia badly miscalculated and has already suffered more casualties than the U.S. did in Afghanistan -- the narrative is one of constant hand-wringing over the imminent demise of Kyiv, with the implied corollary that the fighting will stop if Kyiv is taken. 

 Of course, Putin decreed that Kyiv must be taken by Monday, regardless of the human cost. It's now Tuesday, and that hasn't happened. Instead, artillery is shelling Kyiv indiscriminately from a safe distance, while a massive convoy to the north is mysteriously stalled. This WW2 notion that taking a capital city signifies victory is patently absurd. Did the Afghan war end when alliance troops took Kabul? The idea that "command and control" can only operate out of a capital has been proven wrong in multiple conflicts. The U.S. bombed Hanoi into rubble several times. How did that work out? 

 But, yeah... if Kiev falls, it's all over, we're told. 

 Here's the obvious thing: Russian troops haven't entered the damn city yet. You really don't want to indiscriminately shell a city where your own troops are present. Tanks aren't particularly useful in situations like this, other than to provide mobile cover for troops. Ukrainian troops aren't drones fighting for a faceless dictator. They're fighting against an invader, and one that speaks their own language. This particular invader also uses unencrypted comms, and gives their troops expired rations. This particular invader pays those troops with currency that is now basically worthless. 

 Meanwhile, the narrative from the media is that shelling Kyiv means the end of Ukrainian independence. Ukraine fought bravely, we are told, but the Russian military is just too strong. Sure, they're bad and cruel and evil. But they're shelling Kyiv! 

 Combined with this defeatist mindset is the promise of aid that never really comes. In a few weeks, Javelins, drones, NLAWs, and non-lethal aid will arrive. Countries have made public promises of aid, but there's just so much red tape and logistical problems before it can arrive. You understand, right? If only Ukraine can hold out for another month (or two), then a fraction of what they need will arrive. 

 We should also be prepared for some unraveling of sanctions before long. Already, countries like Mexico have stated that they won't even participate in sanctions. Money laundering will soon become a big part of Mexico's economy, flooding Russia with precious hard currency from fake real estate developments and oil industry 'investments' that will simply end up in corrupt pockets on both sides. Soon, Europeans will see that they're missing out. And the rush will be on to avoid being the last to benefit by dropping sanctions. 

 There's a relatively brief moment here for the West to step up with real, material aid. Let's do that.