We agree that the potential threat of Ukraine as a militarized bordering state is what concerned and concerns Russian leadership the most. You argue that the slow meat grinder is better psychologically and for Russia’s long-term interests against a hostile militarized state on its borders. I agree with this as well. My point was that the invasion was and is not about rapidly ending the progressive ethnic cleansing done by UA in Donbas and elsewhere, but for Russian strategic interests. Going for a proper rapid “win” by disabling production and infrastructure would be a more reasonable direction to take if the goal was to protect Donbas alone.

Of course, the ethnic cleansing in Donbas was a motiving factor, but less because of Russia having some kind of principled position against ethnic cleansing, but because it is a literal war zone and training ground for advancing anti-Russian interests and power. In the end it is good that these interests align, I am just saying it is a mistake to think that Russia is motivated by ethnic cleansing itself.

In terms of anti-fascist, I am again speaking to motives. In effect they are killing off many UA Nazis and that is great. But in motivation they truly do not care, it is just a PR thing that has very popular national liberation aesthetics (USSR defeating the Nazis). This is a good example of why the support is critical! Of course we want the end of UA Nazis and I’m supportive of that, truly. But we do have to remember that the RF is itself capitalist (and reactionary!) and is anti-imperialist only to the extent that it is excluded from the party. So we defend it against liberal chauvinist bullshiy and attempts to take blame away from the imperialists, but also amongst ourselves must understand the extent to which it directly opposes our projects, interests, and comrades.