Clearly the Russian news media are controlled by the Putin government, thus propaganda is being output. So the majority of public opinion in Russia is in favour of the invasion of Ukraine, albeit some people know the truth and opinion is gradually changing.

Outside Russia we know the truth. But we are also being subjected to propaganda regarding the state of the conflict. Of course the Ukrainians are doing well, within the scope that they have. But if this goes the full distance the Russians win. They have the substantially bigger army and they are also doing conscription. They have the better weapons. They also have no sense of honour in that they attack targets of no military significance. Of course we are outraged that they fire missiles into shopping centres. They also destroy electricity generating facilities. But let's be clear, this is war, not cricket. The Russians will do whatever it takes to weaken and subdue any resistance. They have no ethics.

Of course the Americans will do nothing except send some short range weaponry. They could of course seriously intervene and issue an 'or else' to Putin. But for at least the last 77 years the Americans have only ever been to war against opposition that is obviously substantially weaker than them. Although the Russian economy is feeble in comparison to that of the Americans the Russians spend enormous amounts of money on weapons of war and that which carries such weaponry, i.e. advanced warships / aircraft. These constantly test boundaries of airspace and waters where they are not allowed, including those of the UK.

Putin states that serious American involvement in Ukraine would be cheating and would bring about nuclear war. So Russia invading Ukraine and committing countless war crimes is not cheating?

Taking everything into account the only thing in doubt now is by how much Russia will win. It can easy hold the Ukrainian regions near to the border and make them Russian. If that is how it ends then Putin can declare to the Russian public that it is a win for Russia. For the Ukrainians having the least loss of land possible is going to be regarded as a win. Our propaganda will agree.

I would take the risk of having the Yanks kick Russian arse out of Ukraine and also recover the Crimea for Ukraine, which Russia annexed in 2014.