[Goose]

But back to the topic of this thread, anyone care to speculate how today's events might affect Russia's war in Ukraine?

Interesting question. On the one hand, Putin may believe this is a distraction for the president that will cause peace in Ukraine to become a much less important issue for this administration. Putin may also evaluate the action as liable to get the US enmeshed in another long-running military money and troop sink. That would weaken the US ability to act elsewhere.
 
OTOH it is an action directed against a Russian ally. It is also arguably an example of the administration acting unpredictably. That may cause Putin to exercise more caution regarding his ability to get the administration to follow Putin's desired "peace" process. One day the administration may totally unexpectedly and without discussion with Russia just give Ukraine Tomahawks.

[Goose]

But back to the topic of this thread, anyone care to speculate how today's events might affect Russia's war in Ukraine?

Interesting question. On the one hand, Putin may believe this is a distraction for the president that will cause peace in Ukraine to become a much less important issue for this administration. Putin may also evaluate the action as liable to get the US enmeshed in another long-running military money and troop sink. That would weaken the US ability to act elsewhere.
 
OTOH it is an action directed against a Russian ally. It is also arguably an example of the administration acting unpredictably. That may cause Putin to exercise more caution regarding his ability to get the administration to follow Putin's desired "peace" process. One day the administration may totally unexpectedly and without discussion with Russia just give Ukraine Tomahawks.