Cool.

Putin never called it a war, it was always a special military operation, because I don't think he wanted animosity with Ukraine, but he needed that port. Unfortunately the West turned Kiev into serious belligerants and Russia responded as they needed to.

I think this was also motivated by the situation at Kaliningrad where trains from Belarus were no longer allowed to carry in steel. Access to a military base is critical and so maintaining clear access was front and center in Putin's mind.

There are Ethnic Russians in North East Ukraine in areas where Russia hasn't really pushed to capture. That is why I don't think it was about protecting ethnic Russians. 

 Im about to start giving a lecture and I'll be busy for a bit! I'll reply later! Thanks for writing! 

 I showed your theory to a Russian person I know who likes Ucranians a lot and she confirmes that your theory is the only theory that makes sense in her head, a she said Russians and Ucranians are a usually a family

She also sent me the video below. It's in Russian so I cannot translate it, but I bet someone here will help you:

https://youtu.be/cZmF5VscIUs?si=pscTgYmR0MMzGIpA

#russia #ukraine