It was always absurd to think NATO weaponry and strategy was so far ahead of Russia that it could push a significantly larger military back. That’s not to say the Russians are going to have an easy time holding on to any ground long term if (when) they face an insurgency, but the belief that the Russians would be unable to lop off a significant chunk of Ukraine was sillly. Your average American has no idea what a real war between modern armies looks like though so I guess it makes sense that they bought the narrative.
It was always absurd to think NATO weaponry and strategy was so far ahead of Russia that it could push a significantly larger military back. That’s not to say the Russians are going to have an easy time holding on to any ground long term if (when) they face an insurgency, but the belief that the Russians would be unable to lop off a significant chunk of Ukraine was sillly. Your average American has no idea what a real war between modern armies looks like though so I guess it makes sense that they bought the narrative.