I am fairly ignorant in these matters but, whenever I read these forecasts by military strategists, they never seem to refer to any economic restraints which may stand in the way of Russia's further ambitions. All the indications are that Russia will be short of cash and educated men. The latter they have either sent to their deaths on the battle field or encouraged them to leave for less hazardous homes. This must surely limit the speed at which they can rebuild their military power to take on NATO and replacing these men will take many years. Of course, on present form, it looks like Vlad would not recognise these limitations.