Originally Posted by
fab777
A French ex-military analyst told "Le Monde" today, that, according to him, the Russian army has engaged 2/3rd of its actual combat capacity in Ukraine, and in the long term, there is no way it can escape a costly and persistent guerilla war. All those lost capacities will have to be rebuild, and Russia is not exactly getting richer...
That's what really puzzles me. What is the plan after a possible initial military win? Those people now fighting for their Country won't suddenly disappear or become happy Janukovich Supporters. They are right now impressively dealing with one of the biggest Ground- Forces Army of the world. How should an unwelcome socket puppet government survive once the majority of the current Russian forces have left the Country again?
Therefore Putin will have to leave 50.000++ Troops permanently in Country. And those will keep getting decimated by Ambushes, IED, and all those weaponry (Stingers, Javelins, NLAW, etc) happily floating around. Every now end then an IL-76 will take a fatal plunge on approach or takeoff when replacing troops. Ground troop transports will be ambushed and eliminated across the Country. Ukraine is a huuuge Country (2,5x UK, 4.5x England). 50.000 troops will mean a veeeery thin occupation. Reenforcement will be hours away.
I really have difficulties to understand what Putin's plan for day X + 100 is!?