The capture of Avdivka by the Russians strengthens their morale and supports the favorable climate for Putin.
The Kremlin can be proud of its first success on the battlefield in nine months.
An intensification of the Russian siege on the eastern and southern Ukrainian front line is expected in the coming months.
The fall of Avdivka is Ukraine's worst defeat since the conquest of Bakhmut in May.
The death of Alexei Navalny in prison is another blow to the Russian opposition.
Putin is about to be reelected as president and U.S. military aid to Kiev is blocked.
Trump's threat to withdraw the United States from NATO if reelected has sown uncertainty among allies.
The Russian economy has surprisingly resisted the sanctions well thanks to its abundance of raw materials and the potent war industry.
Conclusion: If the West does not prepare for Russian imperialism and if it lets Kiev down, Putin's war will extend to other places. The future of the free world is also at stake in Ukraine.