IMHO Russia mostly wants influence on politics in all neighboring states. It only invaded Crimea and put army in Donbas in Ukraine when other ways to exert influence failed (Ukrainians did 2 revolutions, against all economic odds; it was clear Russian influence will end).
Russia doesn't invade Belarus, because it already has control.
Russia only invaded Georgia when they got dangerously close to "solve" the South Ossetia problem (another matter is how Georgians wanted to solve it).
It's also present in Russian diplomatic language - "close abroad" is the term, and Russian diplomats say they have right to participate in the politics of the near abroad. Frozen conflicts are a good way to ensure these border states won't join EU/NATO which are still seen as enemy in Russia.
I don't disagree with any of this, I will just point out that "Russia does lots of bad things" does not imply "Russia only does bad things". I happen to believe, in this one small instance, Russia action may have minimized loss of life.
IMHO Russia mostly wants influence on politics in all neighboring states. It only invaded Crimea and put army in Donbas in Ukraine when other ways to exert influence failed (Ukrainians did 2 revolutions, against all economic odds; it was clear Russian influence will end).
Russia doesn't invade Belarus, because it already has control.
Russia only invaded Georgia when they got dangerously close to "solve" the South Ossetia problem (another matter is how Georgians wanted to solve it).
It's also present in Russian diplomatic language - "close abroad" is the term, and Russian diplomats say they have right to participate in the politics of the near abroad. Frozen conflicts are a good way to ensure these border states won't join EU/NATO which are still seen as enemy in Russia.