Ukraine question.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

What kind of fight can they put up?

[paleotn]

1. A significant one.

They sport a modern military of significant size, based on mostly older Russian / Soviet equipment. Bolstered by significant numbers of anti-tank systems from the US and GB. Particularly the Javelin which scares the bejebas out of the Russkies and rightly so. Fire, forget and fall back. Also stingers from the Baltic states to toast at least some of Putin's airpower.

Russia would prevail, but only after a serious bloody nose. A worse bloody nose if they try to move towards the Dnieper. Ukrainians hate Russians so there's significant motivation. Who could blame them. Blow the shit out of the bastards.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

2. Russian military outnumbers then greatly in all aspects

In a straight up head to head fight, the Ukrainians could put up a good fight, but they just don't have the numbers to keep it up.

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On thing the graphic omits is artillery, the Russians have over 14,000 more artillery pieces than the Ukraine and the Russians love using artillery. And for good reason too, its effective and terrifying. It isn't called the King of battle for nothing.
Sending them Javelin missiles are nice, but last I read, we only sent 300 of them. Not sure if that's total number of missiles or number of CLU's. But 300 doesn't put much of a dent into Russia's 12,000 tanks or 30,000 APC's and IFV's. Of course, on the other hand, I doubt if more than 1/2 of them are even running right now. The Russian military's maintenance regimen is atrocious.

[Best_man23]

3. The only area where Ukraine has an advantage is personnel

While Russia has ~850K active duty troops, they have only committed around 190K to the areas surrounding Ukraine so far. Ukraine will commit all 200K active duty personnel to counter any invasion along with any and all reservists. Additionally, Ukrainians will no doubt establish Partisan groups as they did during World War II vs the Nazis and fight with unconventional methods and means.

Russia will fight this conflict while attempting to keep the status quo. Ukraine on the other hand, will be fighting a total war.

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

4. Russia can roll tanks with air/missile strikes from beyond the border, to Dnieper river

Well beyond the contested region. They have nowhere near the firepower to stop them.

[trof]

5. Then there is the 'kin-culture'.

There are many in Russia who have relatives and friends in Ukraine.
Putin's greatest fear is having a freely elected democratic government on his border with many sympathizers in Russia.

And...Ukraine could become another Afghanistan for Russia.
Ukraine will have guerilla fighters to continually snipe and harass.

[Uncle Joe]

6. Well enough

to cause Putin's downfall.