[OutsiderFan]

It's now clear this conflict ends with Russia completely out of Ukraine, including Crimea. The only question is how fast it happens, how much money and lives are lost getting to this point, and in Putin's case, how much his political power is weakened as it all unfolds.

Is it better for Putin to voluntarily withdraw from pre-2014 Ukrainian territory sooner, to preserve some of his military, or to have Ukraine defeat and force Russian surrender? The closer Ukraine gets to victory the more support it will get from its allies, further accelerating Russia's demise in Ukraine.

What is Russia's best move? What is its most likely move as its defeat in Ukraine becomes inevitable?

People need to stop referring to Ukraine taking its own territory back as "falling."  Izyum did not "fall" as much as it was liberated from occupying forces.

[OutsiderFan]

It's now clear this conflict ends with Russia completely out of Ukraine, including Crimea. The only question is how fast it happens, how much money and lives are lost getting to this point, and in Putin's case, how much his political power is weakened as it all unfolds.

Is it better for Putin to voluntarily withdraw from pre-2014 Ukrainian territory sooner, to preserve some of his military, or to have Ukraine defeat and force Russian surrender? The closer Ukraine gets to victory the more support it will get from its allies, further accelerating Russia's demise in Ukraine.

What is Russia's best move? What is its most likely move as its defeat in Ukraine becomes inevitable?

People need to stop referring to Ukraine taking its own territory back as "falling."  Izyum did not "fall" as much as it was liberated from occupying forces.