The advance of the Russian army columns. Archival photoMOSCOW, 29 Jun. Russia's victory in Ukraine will be the second major defeat for the United States in two years after the «humiliating» withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, columnist Michael Brendan Dougherty wrote in an article for the National Review magazine. In his opinion, Washington's attempts to create additional costs for Moscow during the hostilities can make the triumph of the Russian side more ambitious if the Ukrainian Armed Forces fail to make a decisive strategic retreat and are defeated in boilers in the Donbass.
"Vladimir Putin will be able to announce that he won not only over the nationalists in Ukraine, but also over the Western powers", — said Dougherty.
The journalist suggested that this scenario for the end of the conflict would sow panic among NATO member countries. «After the humiliation in Afghanistan, this will be the second major defeat of the army financed and prepared by the United States. And this risk is quite real,» the publicist noted. Since February 24, Russia has been conducting a military operation in Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Defense, the Russian army has already completed the main tasks of the first stage — it has significantly reduced the combat potential of Ukraine. 
The Pentagon recognized Russia's progress in Donbas