Hi AC,

Regardless of origin, the effectiveness and economy of drones is clear, turning cheap ordinance into guided weapons capable of destroying even the best Russian tanks.

Yes, there are implications for both sides, but I'd point out that Russia is subject to critical technology sanctions, so its ability to support electronic warfare is challenging.

Fester,

Russia has lost a couple of massive oil depots because its air defences are so ineffective. Also losing a $400m A50 and an Il22 command vehicle were not high points for the joke that is the Russian Army.

Shadowminister,

Yes, I did see that. The Ukrainians are awesome innovators, but Europe and the US need to listen to their Nato and Pentagon advisors. For all its faults, the Russian army is very large and dangerous, is receiving plenty of assistance from its allies, and has no moral constraint. I just hope that the Ukrainians can hold back the Russian bear until the much needed military aid arrives.

Did you see that China refused to send Ukraine an order of Shahid type drones?

"Did you see that China refused to send Ukraine an order of Shahid type drones?"

Why are you not surprised?
China already made a peace proposal that Ukraine did not support.
Why would China now sell them weapons to target their allies including in assassinations?
And did they not already bring in a law stating they will not sell drones for military use?
You expect China to break their own rules to help US and Ukraine?
China knows that after Russia, they're next so why would they assist Ukraine in this most stupid of western foreign policies?

Ukraine: Zelensky may soon oust military chief Zaluzhny
http://asiatimes.com/2024/01/ukraine-zelensky-may-soon-oust-military-chief-zaluzhny/
'Ukrainian leader reputedly set to replace Zaluzhny with intel chief Budanov as his cash-strapped government prepares to lose the war '

"Putting aside the credibility, or lack thereof, of any imminent Russian threat to Europe, the US is changing its policy and is recognizing that it cannot win a conventional war against Russia. (Which also means that it can’t win a conventional war against China, maybe not even Iran or the minuscule Houthis.)

All of this is clearly visible in Iraq where US bases and installations are regularly bombed by Iranian militias, following orders from Tehran. Their goal is for US troops to leave Iraq and Syria and, accomplishing that, demonstrate that the US is unreliable and unfit to depend upon.

The new Ukraine policy has been emerging over recent months. If understood correctly, the policy is designed to deal with the new reality that Ukraine will lose the war and Ukraine’s government may need to evacuate Kiev. Putting Budanov in effective control, including for the relocation of Ukraine’s capital, probably to Lviv, is the bedrock of the policy.

Operationally, the policy will likely be to use special operations, assassinations, bombings and any other means, including possibly blowing up a nuclear reactor, to punish the Russians and keep them off balance."

The Real Reason Thousands Are Fleeing Conscription in Ukraine
http://www.thedailybeast.com/the-real-reason-thousands-are-fleeing-conscription-in-ukraine
'Men who are hiding from the war tell The Daily Beast they do not trust the military system and fear they’ll be sent to the frontline without proper training.'

Hi AC,

I doubt anyone could believe that waging war can create prosperity, yet you seem to believe that Russia is doing as much whilst also believing that the democratic world is on the road to ruin by supporting Ukraine.

It's kind of like believing that Russia would use a heavy transport aircraft to carry 68 Ukrainian pows to Belgorod. Maybe it was flying backwards?