Russians where forced to retreat in Afghanistan because they couldn't win that war, Poetin will be even more bitter if he loses this campaign and losing face when he needs to do that, that's what i mean with 'hilarious'.
Let's be real, Ukraine is not some far-away mountainous shithole, it's right next door to Russia's European "mainland" with easy access over vast flat land. So Russians can and likely will overpower it with sheer numbers and declare victory as soon as they install a puppet in Kyiv and that is likely the propaganda photo-op they're aiming for in the short-to-medium term.
What happens after that is a bit unclear. On batshit-crazy theory I've heard from my Ukrainian colleague is that Putin would have to deport a few million people to Siberia if he wants to break the resistance and hold Ukraine for an extended period of time. But we've seen enough crazy reality over the last couple of days to make it seem less batshit now.
History shows that US didn't need Cuba to become fully supportive of US. It becoming a failed state so it doesn't try anything like that again suited US just fine ...
When starting shit

When shit hits the fan
Sounding somber and looking tired, Zelensky went on: Who is ready to guarantee Ukraine's accession to NATO? Honestly, everyone is afraid.
I asked all the partners of the state if they are with us. They are with us, but they are not ready to take us into an alliance with them, he said.
No matter how many conversations I had with foreign leaders, I heard a few things. The first is that we are supported. I am grateful to each state that helps us concretely, not just in words. But there is a second we are left alone to defend our state. Who is ready to fight with us? Honestly I do not see," Zelensky said.
"This morning, we are defending our country alone. Just like yesterday, the most powerful country in the world looked on from a distance,"
https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-25-22/h_03524ee7b2cdca952072073ae77a706fToday I asked the 27 leaders of Europe whether Ukraine will be in NATO, I asked directly. Everyone is afraid, does not answer. And we are not afraid, we are not afraid of anything, Zelensky said.
https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-24-22-intl/h_59e75b13051800e962fd778928b7cf31BREAKING: In a video conference call last night Ukraine President Zelensky told EU leaders: "This might be the last time you see me alive", two sources briefed on the call told me
https://twitter.com/BarakRavid/status/1497214423756197889Guess we were starting to forget about MAD and need to push the doomsday clock few minutes once in a while just to remind ourselves how retarded we all are