I understand where you are coming from, but to call it that Russia is gaining ground is very subjective, Russia has been pushed back in several areas they took early on, Around Kiev, Around Kharkiv, around Kherson, just to take the VERY broad strokes. Currently Russia is gaining ground slowly on the east front, but not much anywhere else. While Ukraine has taken a small piece of Kursk.

I’d call that mostly a standstill, and Ukraine is refraining from taking territory back currently to save ressources, as attack is way more expensive than defense.

So yes I maintain that what Russia is doing is futile, because the cost are too high, their economy cannot handle to continue this kind of pressure.

Russia is probably hoping Trump will win the election in USA, but as I see it, even that will not open the way for victory for Russia. Other Ukrainian allies will probably step up more, and although possibly not fully cover the loss of American aid, it will be enough to help Ukraine to victory.

Remember Ukraine has still only gotten 10 out of 79 F-16, none of which are from USA. Europe cannot allow Russia to win if we can prevent it. And as long as Ukraine keep up the fight, Europe will keep helping them.

So yes the Russian war is futile, the losses are for nothing, except causing the Ukrainian people pain.