How can this war be going on for so long? If Russia wanted to, couldn't they have taken out Ukraine long ago? It's not like Ukraine is a major super power. Who is profiting off of an extended war?
That's a good question, SF1900. I have wondered that myself.
I think Putin does not want to use nukes. Also, from what I understand, this is private mercenary group, and not the full Russian military.
So he expected to take Ukraine easily, but did not expect for Ukraine to be supplied by basically all of NATO, and to be met with Ukrainians willing to fight down to the last man.
Ukraine with Ukrainian military supplies only would be another story.
So I think Putin underestimated that response, and there are players in the Western military industrial complex that want to keep it going to sell helicopters, etc.
And those munitions firms and other firms are profiting...basically off the back of every male in Ukraine, and with no regard to risking this conflict going nuclear.