Wasn’t Russia expecting Ukraine to capitulate (basically, like what Armenia did against Azerbaijan)?

They only sent, what, 80000 troops on the initial drive to Kyiv?

Russia’s military budget in 2019 was $65 billion. It’s a waste of money that’s only practical because the US is literally swimming in taxpayer money (mostly because the US doesn’t invest in itself, but that’s another issue).

Macron was right, but being right is extremely expensive. Meanwhile, the EU’s dependence on F-35s for defence isn’t too great given the well-known issues with F-35 maintenance and the need for US private contractors in the maintenance loop.

Humans don’t drive on sight alone.