Only one of the two countries still holds elections. Zelensky is a dictator whose legal term has long since expired who fears elections because he knows he will lose. He has banned all opposition parties and opposition media. Putin has a 70%+ approval rating and always holds elections on schedule.

Only one of the two countries needs to have roving gangs of thugs accosting men on the street and abducting them into vans to force them to go to the front line with a gun at their back.

Only one of the two countries is completely financially dependent on constantly begging other countries for money and weapons to keep its government and society from falling apart.