Pyrrhic victory is still a type of victory.

What a privilege! As if anybody wins

"War does not determine who is right — only who is left."

– Bertrand Russell

Its not exactly guaranteed that it would go nuclear. Would have to be careful, but Russia isn't going to be invaded, Moscow isn't at risk of occupation.

I can see an argument in either direction. Russia's invasion of Ukraine may be considered a regional war since it hasn't yet involved open and direct fighting between other major global powers. Supplies, intelligence sharing, and other forms of assistance between various parties on either side are involved but for the most part, it's been limited to Russians and Ukrainians exchanging fire. North Korean soldiers and individual contractors from some other parts of the world are there too but that's still pretty limited. Epstein Fury is another regional war for now as well.

It would (and maybe will) be different if we had combined NATO forces and China / Russia / Iran / North Korea in direct conflict. Since it's not happening yet, I'm hesitant to call it a full-on world war at this stage. Would say it seems likely to occur (unless some major changes happen soon) and then this part would get included as a long lead-up to what comes next.

Not up to me though, I'm just along for the ride with the vast majority of everyone else.

I think so too but am still waiting for the history books to make it official. It'd be impossible to deny if NATO got Article 5-ed into things though.