The self-belief of autocratic states is now legendary. Their actual skills, when put to the test, show how far they fall short. An appeal to its own history shows there is something lacking for the Russian state.
Their Victory Day parade is an exhibition of this sort of madness. The appeal is only to a pride inside, and not to reality. The losses of Russia on the battlefield is indicative of its lack of connection to reality.
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine tells us that Russia has suffered huge losses. It’s nearing one million lives lost, over 100,000 pieces of equipment, and many larger features of warfare like warships.
A bit of clothing isn’t going to soften the edge of such defeats. If the Russian state is going to win it needs to do more than march in the peace, and serenity, of Red Square. The future is won by grasping it.


