Why do you think Putin is holding back using a full blown invasion of Ukraine. First the fighing would destroy the gas lines depriving Russia means to export for cash to Europe. The second problem is how will Russia (GDP only 2 trillion) support Russian Ukrainians whose standard of living is lower then the Russians. Add to that a mini arms race with NATO and occupation costs of holding down the non Russian Ukrainians. Russia will go the way of the Soviet Union, too much financial pressure leading to economic collapse. Even if Russia does not collapse, a stressed Russia will drive Russia deeper into the control of a more powerful and richer (GDP of 14 trillion) China. Putin is learning very quickly that in a world with many potential super powers, the first ones that fight will lose.
All good reasons not to invade Ukraine.
40 million pissed off Ukrainians are not Abkhazia.
They are masters of guerilla war, having fought Hitler and Stalin for independence, knowing their Russian “brothers” so well, would disintegrate Putin’s Empire with thousands cuts.
Putin’s “dream” of scaring Ukrainians to join his “Greater Russia” with bunch of masked bandits is evaporating. Afghanistan compared to Ukraine is chicken sheeeet.
Slava Ukraini! Heroiam Slava!