I don't think they're laughing. I think many of them are dying for a cause they don't even believe in. Each has a family who will be devastated just like the Ukrainians. Sooner or later Russians will not be able to replace parts for medical equipment, oil and gas machinery (will reduce output) and elevators (at least they will get fit). When things reach a tipping point, they generally deteriate quickly. All for One man's whim.
They won't compete in any international sporting events as they are banned and won't be able to travel because the plane parts aren't there anymore, only so many flying hours are allowed. They have been hacked and many services are down like Russian YouTube. They are quickly headed to apartheid South Africa status with a penchant for North Korea propaganda lunacy. "All going according to plan"
The absolute fallacy that they are helping people of the Donbass is evident with the level of carnage inflicted on Russian speaking towns, the Mafia style protection racket they are imposing on those businesses (~30% of product gets directed to Russia now) and then there is the state-level operation of stealing of grain and shopping for buyers of said stolen grain in North Africa.
What can the west do? Turkey has sovereign control over the bosphorus. They can let a UN cargo convey through and collect grain from Odessa. And stop 50million from starving and rioting. Egypt is very vulnerable.
