the scenes of a frustrated Russia pounding, but not managing to finish off

[GoodTaste]

But with each day that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky holds out, the scenes of a frustrated Russia pounding, but not managing to finish off, a smaller opponent dominate screens around the world.
Source: NYTimes

Does “the scenes of a frustrated Russia pounding, but not managing to finish off” mean “the scenes of a frustrated Russia repeatedly attacking but failing to finish the job - getting the victory they want”? If so, what does “a smaller opponent” mean then?

 

[emsr2d2]

Ukraine is the smaller opponent. I'm not sure why that isn't clear to you.

The scenes are of the Russian military pounding its smaller opponent, but failing to finish that opponent off.

 

[GoodTaste]

If Ukraine is the smaller opponent, how could they “dominate screens around the world”? Does “dominate” here mean “win (the heart of the people around the world)”?

 

[tedmc]

Ukraine is the focus of attention in the news media around the world. It has nothing to do with winning hearts.

 

[jutfrank]

I think perhaps the comma is confusing you.

The word scenes is the head subject of dominate, and a smaller opponent is the object of finish off.

The phrase 'scenes dominate' is a reference to the fact that this story is all over the media.

 

[GoodTaste]

Ukraine is the focus of attention in the news media around the world. It has nothing to do with winning hearts.

See Jutfrank's reply. I can see you don't get it either.

 

[Tarheel]

See Jutfrank's reply. I can see you don't get it either.

What does he not get? The war in Ukraine is a lead story around the world. That's what "dominate" means there. That story is getting the most air time. While Ukraine may indeed be winning the propaganda war, that's not what that is about.

 

[Tdol]

Does it make better sense for you with dominating?

 

[GoodTaste]

Does it make better sense for you with dominating?

Sorry no. The question is what is the subject of the verb dominate. Jutfrank caught the very essence of it.

 

[Tarheel]

If Ukraine is the smaller opponent, how could they “dominate screens around the world”? Does “dominate” here mean “win (the heart of the people around the world)”?

It has to do with media coverage. The screens are television screens. The war in Ukraine is the lead story all over the world. Thus it dominates the news.