Donnerboy, that is exactly what I have thought would happen with a former super power invading a much smaller nation; just like the U.S. did in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan. Eventually the casualties make the price of contunued occupation unacceptable to the population of the invading nation. I know Russia has very tight control of their news media but they won't be able to adequately hide the terrible price, for Russia, in lives and in severely wounded survivors of the conflict. Just like the U.S. there will come a day when returning their troops home will be their only viable choice even if it means leaving Crimea behind.