> an area largely occupied by ethnic Russians Largely occupied by Russian speaking people, some of whom identity as Ukrainian (more now than before after Russi

> an area largely occupied by ethnic Russians Largely occupied by Russian speaking people, some of whom identity as Ukrainian (more now than before after Russia invaded and destroyed/raped/pillaged through their homes), some as Russian. In the same way that there were Greek speaking Orthodox believing people who identified as Turks during the Greco-Turkish war and the subsequent population exchanges. > Russia presently enjoys economic relations with China, India, Iran, etc. and a very high oil commodity price. Just the other day there was an article here about the crap China sends Russia. India and China have both publicly criticised, delicately, the invasion. Iran is some reading partner! The Russian economy is crumbling and they've faced a massive brain drain. They've been forced to conscription which had had terrible results (thousands running away, protests, cadavers). It's all downhill from here.