Yesterday on state television, a military analyst offered a rare lesson in realism on a network where one is rarely so candid. The situation is deteriorating and the evolution of the conflict is not to the advantage of the Russians.

Retired Colonel Mikhail Khodaryonok is urging people to look beyond reassuring news, what he calls “reassuring information”.

To ignore reality would be to ignore the lessons of history.

How many dead Russians?

While it is difficult to confirm this information, it is estimated that the special military operation would have already caused a higher number of deaths than that of the conflict between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan between 1979 and 1989.

Regardless of the objective pursued by Colonel Khodaryonok, to encourage greater mobilization or to temper the enthusiasm for the final result, the situation on the ground clearly indicates that the belligerents stand in awe.

With Russia more isolated than ever and Ukrainians enjoying the support of supportive partners, the conflict is heading towards a stalemate.

The nuclear temptation

Monday, on the site of POLITICO Magazine, three American researchers recalled that in reaction to the American attitude as well as to the integration of new countries within NATO, Vladimir Putin could be tempted to draw on his nuclear arsenal .

Experts discuss three scenarios ranging from a simple remote atmospheric test to use against a Ukrainian target.

In the latter case, an aftershock and an escalation are to be feared.