In its latest update on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Washington-based think tank, Institute for the Study of War (ISW), has issued a stern warning about the potential catastrophic consequences of a Russian victory. The ISW stated that a Russian conquest of Ukraine, combined with the halting of military and economic support from the United States and Europe, could have dire implications for Ukraine, as well as for the U.S. and NATO.

The issue of supporting Ukraine has become a symbol of division within Congress. In early December, Republicans blocked a $111 billion emergency spending bill, which included funds for Ukraine's war efforts, demanding strict border restrictions in return for their backing of the bill. As a result, the U.S.'s continued support for Kyiv remains uncertain, raising concerns about Ukraine's ability to withstand the Russian invasion without replenishing its war chest.

Adding to the worries, Ukraine's European allies are also experiencing faltering support. Hungary's president, Viktor Orban, recently blocked $55 billion in EU aid to Ukraine at a summit in Brussels. The ISW highlighted that if the United States were to cut off all military assistance and Europe followed suit, a Russian conquest of Ukraine would become increasingly likely.

To illustrate the potential consequences, the ISW published a series of maps depicting how Europe would be affected if Russia were to win the war in Ukraine. One map showed Russian units positioned at the borders with Lithuania, Poland, Moldova, Slovakia, and Romania. This scenario assumes that Russia would move its armies created for the current war to NATO borders. The ISW emphasized that the Russians could potentially bring even more combat power to NATO frontiers if they were willing to bear the financial cost.

Additionally, the ISW presented another map illustrating the potential reach of Russian air defense systems if Moscow were to emerge as the victor. In this scenario, Russian air defenses could extend as far as Hungary and Scandinavian countries. The ISW warned that NATO's current forces in Europe would be unable to defend against such an attack, which would necessitate significant intervention from the United States, including the deployment of a large number of American soldiers and a substantial portion of their fleet.

On the other hand, the ISW emphasized that a Ukrainian victory, including the reestablishment of control over Crimea, would be crucial for the U.S. and NATO, as well as for Kyiv. It would dramatically alleviate pressure on the Atlantic alliance if Ukraine could regain its 1991 borders, the ISW stated.

Despite the challenges, the current situation in Ukraine demonstrates that Kyiv's troops have managed to keep the Russians away from the eastern borders of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.

Newsweek reached out to the defense ministries of Ukraine and Russia for comment on Friday, but no response has been received as of yet. The ISW's warnings serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences if Russia succeeds in its war in Ukraine, urging the international community to consider the significant risks involved in failing to support Ukraine in its struggle against the invasion.