Russia is facing severe demographic issues that will affect Russia's ability to replace troops killed in war

[hatrack]

12. Which, of course, was the whole reason behind invading Ukraine in the first place . . .

Option A: Invest in education, infrastructure, public health, transportation and make meaningful political and judicial reforms to improve the lives of your citizens so they feel confident about the future and about having kids. Caution: This will take a long time and success is uncertain.

Option B: Summon the same old butchers steering the same old tub of blood and invade another country you used to control to make up for the babies people in your own country aren't having any more. Caution: This can take a long time, will deplete your already-falling population event faster, and success is really, really REALLY FUCKING UNCERTAIN.