Putin Knows He’s Losing — and Analysts Say His Own Survival Now Depends on the One Move He’s Most Afraid to Make

Putin knows he's losing, this analysis argues — and his options are narrowing to two. Russia bleeds 30,000+ soldiers a month against 27,000 recruits, even at $80,000 bonuses, and the only fix is mass mobilization of Moscow's middle-class sons — the one move that could turn Russia's elite against him. The nuclear card is off the table; even Putin knows it would trigger an overwhelming NATO response. That leaves the bitter truth: negotiating from weakness may be the only way to save his regime — and himself.