Russia seems to be assembling her own coalition of support including some of the greatest ne'er do wells of the Middle East and now Iran besides. The downside it is hard to imagine enough support on the footsoldier side of things to form an occupying force should they succeed in pushing the Ukrainians back.

This has been observed to be a warmed over Battle of Stalingrad where the Russians are filling in for the Germans with the Ukrainians in the defense of their land, subject to the cruel abuse of civilians and non-military reprisal damage.

In the repulse of the German Army (Almost exactly 80 years ago as we write these words) the then Soviet forces found they could attack the 'helper' armies, furnished by Italians and Romanians. Their stomach for battle was not up to their German allies and they headed the Axis collapse. The intransigence of the German leader and his no surrender policy led to the loss of his entire Army. His job lasted only 2-1/2 more years before he permanently resigned, along with millions more of his followers.