Originally Posted by
VacancyBid
WSJ article from Wednesday has the rather unsettling theory that Russia is absolutely planning to invade NATO. The Ukraine armistice will merely start the clock on when Putin’s repair/re-arm process will support WW3.
seriously?
So, taking a million casualties out of a population of 140 million is how you prepare for war these days? From a population that is reproducing at less than break-even rates?
Russia's demographics are characterized by a declining and aging population, with a high death rate exceeding the birth rate. The population is predominantly Russian but includes significant ethnic minorities, with Christianity as the main religion. Key demographic challenges include a low male-to-female ratio in older age groups and historical factors contributing to a high death rate, while the government has implemented policies to encourage more births.
Population and aging
The death rate has consistently exceeded the birth rate since the 1990s, a trend that has continued and been exacerbated by factors like the war in Ukraine.
Russia's population density is low, with approximately 9 people per square kilometer.[/list]
Doesn’t sound very likely to me. Production of fit 18 year old draft eligible is what is called a long lead time process, requiring 18 years and nine months to be completed. By that time Putin will be 92 years old, and - if still alive - probably retired or senile. Life expectancy for Russian males at birth is only 68 years,
Now granted, our NATO allies in Europe have been short changing their defense establishments for the last 35 years, but surely 18 and 3/4 years is enough time for them to restore their own militaries enough to defend themselves - seeing as their GDP is more than 11 times that of Russia. And they have over four times the population.