Beware ‘Vlad the Mad’: Cornered Russian Bears Are Extremely Dangerous

The West must make clear that Putin cannot win.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin observes the Zapad-2025 Russia-Belarus joint military exercises at the Mulino training ground in Nizhny Novgorod Region, Russia, September 16, 2025.

Sputnik/Valery Sherifulin/Pool via Reuters

Vladimir Putin believed his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 would be victorious in less than two weeks. His spymasters promised him that while pocketing most of the billions the Kremlin had shelled out to buy off Ukraine’s leaders. This coming February, the war will enter its fourth year.

Putin’s army has now suffered more than 1 million casualties and has lost at least 4,000 battle tanks, which is more than it started the war with. The Russian navy has abandoned the Black Sea, losing its flagship, the Moskva, and 24 other warships to Ukrainian sea drones.

Gregory W. Slayton

About the Author

Gregory W. Slayton

Gregory W. Slayton is a former senior U.S. diplomat, chairman of Slayton Capital, and author of Portraits of Ukraine: A Nation at War.

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