Russia’s grinding war has decimated many Ukrainian units and left some soldiers exhausted and demoralized. Some officers say desertion is becoming a problem.
Honestly, it's worse than that IMO (if only they'd go pester their NATO funders). They're the comprador/policing force keeping the regime in place, they're basically the enforcers of the NATO line (that there will be no peace with Russia, that the persecution and crimes against minorities will continue, etc).
The original, democratically elected govt. of the Ukranians was neutral (Yanukovych). The Nazis were instrumental in bringing that down, they were the US' boots on the ground so to speak. Then the Ukrainians eventually elected a "peace" candidate (Zelensky). Whether he actually intended for peace originally, hell if I know (whatever the case I have no sympathy for him, he is guilty of immense crimes at this point and has been for a long time, well before Russia's SMO) but it's clear that to a large extent, the Nazi former-paramilitary factions (now legitimized in the military and in govt) have significant influence and only Uncle Sam can get them to back down (as with that general who Zelensky tried- and failed- to dismiss, etc).
but it’s clear that to a large extent, the Nazi former-paramilitary factions (now legitimized in the military and in govt) have significant influence and only Uncle Sam can get them to back down
In their own words - "we're 10%, but we're the decisive 10 percent". They absolutely do have control over the government because their people infested said government
Honestly, it's worse than that IMO (if only they'd go pester their NATO funders). They're the comprador/policing force keeping the regime in place, they're basically the enforcers of the NATO line (that there will be no peace with Russia, that the persecution and crimes against minorities will continue, etc).
The original, democratically elected govt. of the Ukranians was neutral (Yanukovych). The Nazis were instrumental in bringing that down, they were the US' boots on the ground so to speak. Then the Ukrainians eventually elected a "peace" candidate (Zelensky). Whether he actually intended for peace originally, hell if I know (whatever the case I have no sympathy for him, he is guilty of immense crimes at this point and has been for a long time, well before Russia's SMO) but it's clear that to a large extent, the Nazi former-paramilitary factions (now legitimized in the military and in govt) have significant influence and only Uncle Sam can get them to back down (as with that general who Zelensky tried- and failed- to dismiss, etc).
In their own words - "we're 10%, but we're the decisive 10 percent". They absolutely do have control over the government because their people infested said government