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The endgame here seems to be mostly grim possibilities.
If Russia wins, Ukraine ceases to be an independent nation. States bordering Ukraine might then be threatened.
If the Russian leadership perceives themselves to be losing, they may start to escalate. A loss of face would be intolerable for Putin at this late stage, since it could result in regime change.
The stages of Russian weapons escalation could go something like this:
1. Thermobaric weapons
2. Carpet bombing of cities
3. Chemical weapons
4. Low-yield tactical nuclear weapons
5. Strategic nuclear weapons
Perhaps the best thing that could happen is that Putin is assassinated or removed in a palace coup.
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