Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Is Putin Losing The War (Original Post) gab13by13 Nov 2025 OP
Of course he is losing Fiendish Thingy Nov 2025 #1
I give credit where credit is due, gab13by13 Nov 2025 #5
Happy to help! Fiendish Thingy Nov 2025 #7
I've been thinking this for awhile. ananda Nov 2025 #2
"Is Putin Losing The War" J_William_Ryan Nov 2025 #3
Define solid. gab13by13 Nov 2025 #6
Russia has been unable to retake much of the territory it had early in the war Kaleva Nov 2025 #9
TSF is furiously trying to save him. DemocratSinceBirth Nov 2025 #4
Putin may be willing for a cease fire at some point LetMyPeopleVote Nov 2025 #8
Yes, Putin is losing the war indusurb Nov 2025 #10

Fiendish Thingy

(23,234 posts)
1. Of course he is losing
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 10:36 AM
Nov 2025

If he was winning, he wouldn’t have to pressure Trump to pressure Zelensky to accept a shitty peace deal.

gab13by13

(32,321 posts)
5. I give credit where credit is due,
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 10:58 AM
Nov 2025

You just posted in one sentence what I have been trying to say for weeks.

ananda

(35,144 posts)
2. I've been thinking this for awhile.
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 10:37 AM
Nov 2025

Why else would Putin be so desperate for a
so-called "American" peace plan?

J_William_Ryan

(3,496 posts)
3. "Is Putin Losing The War"
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 10:52 AM
Nov 2025

No.

Russia has a solid hold on Ukrainian territory in the east and southeast and Crimea in the south. Ukraine has made no progress retaking the occupied areas.

gab13by13

(32,321 posts)
6. Define solid.
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 11:00 AM
Nov 2025

Google the battle for Pokrovsk, the gateway for Russian supplies and reinforcements. Putin just lost 25,000 soldiers in one of the biggest defeats of the war.

LetMyPeopleVote

(179,857 posts)
8. Putin may be willing for a cease fire at some point
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 11:08 AM
Nov 2025



Ukraine has really hurt Russian's oil industry which is the main source of revenue for Putin



There are reports of Putin not being able to pay some of his troops

indusurb

(341 posts)
10. Yes, Putin is losing the war
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 11:50 AM
Nov 2025

Not on the battlefield, at least not yet, though that has come to a stagnating, grinding crawl that won't be resolved for years if ever. No, Putin is losing the war in two critical areas, the economy and public sentiment.

When this started in 2022 Putin funded the war with Russia's sovereign wealth fund, foreseeing a quick victory. That didn't happen and he has now burned through nearly all of that funding. Last week the Duma raised taxes and increased fees across the board, hitting businesses and ordinary citizens alike, rather hard. The economy is stagnant, inflation skyrocketing despite an increasing interest rate, and decreased oil revenue. Also there is an ever increasing labor shortage which has led to a slow down in both wartime and civilian production. The lack of wartime material is showing as Russia drags out things like WWII era tanks and arms to throw into the fight.

All of this is leading to a growing discontent in the civilian sector. It also means that it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit military recruits, the support for the war on the Russian home front is cratering, as is the support for Putin in general. Recruitment is down, as sign up bonuses have doubled(while previous sign up bonuses go unpaid to the widows and other survivors). The lack of recruitment led to throwing in of North Korean troops into the fray, but that was a one off, not to be repeated.

For now Putin and Russia are putting up a good front, but they are desperate for any save face peace deal like the one Trump is pushing. Ukraine needs to just hold on for awhile longer and they will win. Russia will collapse suddenly, unexpectedly, much like they did in Afghanistan, or better yet, when the Soviet Union died. They are not winning this war, and in fact are going to lose, badly. Ukraine and its allies just need to hold strong for a little while longer.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Is Putin Losing The War