"News" on the War in Ukraine

I can't believe that anyone vaguely intelligent parrots that Ukraine is somehow part of Russia: especially since most of the fighting in this war has been in the Donbas region of Ukraine (the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine, collectively called the Donbas). Or Why this might get confusing: Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR, respectively) are home to armed Russian-backed separatist groups of ETHNIC RUSSIANS!!!!

These areas may have been somewhat pro-Russian at one time, but they are resisting the Russian invasion. Additionally, they are the ones being hit hardest with fighting.  So, why are the Russians killing other Russians: especially the ones the Russians are alleging they were protecting by starting this war?

Fortunately, the Russians are getting clobbered big time by the Ukrainian army. From Michael Kofman:

Depreciating combat effectiveness sets the stage for either a significant operational pause along most fronts or a ceasefire. This does not necessarily imply a political settlement, but a period to reorganize, consolidate, and resupply. An end to the first chapter of this war.  I think Moscow is searching for something it can use to declare a victory. Taking the Donbas, and having leverage to attain concessions from Kyiv is probably what they're looking to accomplish at this point. This is at best a guess.

He's not very optimistic about what may come next: If there is another phase, Russian forces will probably try to compensate for poor performance by inflicting greater destruction.

At this point, Russia hasn't used nuclear or chemical weapons. The scary part is wondering how crazy Putain happens to be and will he use those weapons?

And for the people wondering about World War III.

It's already here. 

The real question is how much longer will people pretend to be neutral in this War?