What's this "backing" crap?
Putin recruited, trained, provided arms, transportation and continuing supplies to these so-called Ukrainian "rebels," most, if not all of whom are Russia-Russians.
There are actually people in the outside world who are unaware of that?
Incidentally, has anyone ever seen a cogent and insightful strategic explanation for why Russia decided that, what the hell, and invaded and annexed the Crimean peninsula?
....” has anyone ever seen a cogent and insightful strategic explanation for why Russia decided that, what the hell, and invaded and annexed the Crimean peninsula?”......
Easy...payback... and because he could.