Every Ukrainian life lost expelling the Russians from Ukraine is a tragedy, every Russian life lost is one step closer to victory. This is a terrible way to look at this human tragedy, but when overwhelming support exists in Russia to invade Ukraine and kill Ukrainians, you care little for their losses.

Vladimir Putin has publicly called for a Ukrainian genocide in his speeches and broadcasts, this is an existential war for Ukraine, they are fighting for their lives – they are truly fighting for their very existence. Their land, their resources and their freedom is at risk, this could last for generations, that would be until Russia collapses in a Soviet style implosion.

Look at the Russian aims, that was to push back NATO borders, to have a country between them and the NATO alliance. Ukraine was never a member of NATO and was refused entry into the alliance. So nothing has changed? Maybe, maybe not. Ukraine is still not a member of NATO, but what Ukraine has been able to do is secure weapons, training and economic support from NATO.

It gets better, Nordic countries Sweden and Finland are now NATO members with Finland bordering Russia. So Putin’s aim to have a country between NATO and Russia is an abject failure, Putin has drawn NATO closer to Russian borders. Furthermore, Putin has offered NATO members a common enemy to unite the alliance. Putin was right insofar as NATO was a loose alliance without a common purpose as Russia was no longer seen as a threat, unlike the former Soviet Union.