When Putin turned 70, he was living beyond his expiry date. It was invade now or never
The communists are always under pressure from their military foundation, to exercise military power.
On occasion, the military command must be tossed a bone. In this case, it was George, then Crimea, then the eastern oblasts of Ukraine.
Russian annex-ploitation will continue until Russia is will to stop bombarding the land that it desires.
Moscow has yet to run into the firm resistance that will convince Moscow to stop drinking its blackout juice.