They're also just running out of options.
- air defence failing
- grinder meat running low
- running out of tanks
- drained cash reserves
They are desperate to stay in the game long enough to force a settlement in their favor lest the average citizen realizes it was all for nothing.
Yeah cause you know im constantly reading about Russians that want to fight... Pretty sure this is a problem on both sides. Regardless, all my other points still stand.
Ukraine is also not using meat wave tactics, they're holding a line and falling back when the costs of holding it are too high. This is pretty effective at bleeding the invading force. A defending army doesnt need as many troops as an attacking army. An attacking army typically wants a 3:1 advantage. And at the cost of over 1000 Russian troops a day and even russian telegram channels showing them forcing wounded troops back into combat this isnt looking great for them.
Most importantly, Ukraine has nearly established air superiority. Air superiority will eventually become air dominance as more and more of Russias air defence systems are destroyed. I dont think theres been a war in history where the side with air dominance lost. This is evident as Ukraine has now been able to strike deep inside Russia and attacking their supply chain and economy directly at the sources.
So without some sort of major change in momentum the rest of the war is going to look like: Ukraine sitting on a defence line bombing Russia, whittling away at their supply chain and economy, while the Russians send poorly equiped meat waves to try and claim Ukraines territory at a current rate of 1% every 3 years.
They'll be home by christmas!... 2272...