I'm legitimately curious about why Putin's approval is up in Russia. Assuming this is accurate, or at least does reflect something real, it makes me even more curious about how Russians see this conflict. Because at this point I don't know what a win looks like to them. Taking over a badly damaged Ukraine? Annexing separatist regions and declaring victory? Maybe it is just rallying around the flag, or nostalgia for a greater Russia, but I'm leery of those explanations, which feel a little pat to me.
Have a nice break, hope it doesn't get cut short by a new war
I'm legitimately curious about why Putin's approval is up in Russia. Assuming this is accurate, or at least does reflect something real, it makes me even more curious about how Russians see this conflict. Because at this point I don't know what a win looks like to them. Taking over a badly damaged Ukraine? Annexing separatist regions and declaring victory? Maybe it is just rallying around the flag, or nostalgia for a greater Russia, but I'm leery of those explanations, which feel a little pat to me.
Enjoy your holiday Derek! Thank you for the consistently invaluable coverage.