Yes. Russian military doctrine is also pretty clear in that threats to territorial integrity of Russian federation are grounds for using nuclear weapons. It is basically the implied threat in the referendums announced for this weekend.

Dunno why that would change things since Ukraine has already made counter-strikes into actual Russian territory (Belgorod). But then again, Putin lives in make-believe land and the target for these outbursts is probably the population of Russia, not the west.

They've also (seemingly) made strikes into the recently-annexed Crimea, but that was still during the phase when Russia liked to enjoy that everything was fine and that their men were just tripping over some explosives.

Yes, although Crimea is not Russian territory.

It is as far as Russia is concerned.

It was acquired illegally (according to UN) in 2014.

Bilgorod is actually Ukrainian territory. They are just fighting back what commies took a while ago.

Despite many unsourced updates to the Wikipedia article for the city, I've come to conclusion that it was once part of the Mongol empire. Without verifiable sources it seems hard to state more than that. :(

Let's keep this discussion informative and cordial please.

Youre coping.

yes. That seems the obvious play.

Russia will then lean on other "friendly" countries to recognise the annexation(s).

Unfortunately, any unbiased observer will note that the sequencing is "odd".

I will note that it's hard to ascertain what the actual desire of the population in the affected regions is. If the population truly does want to align with Russia then democratically, they should be allowed to make such determination.

The manner in which this is being done does not suggest the Russia narrative is truthful unfortunately. Digging into the diplomatic dialogues leading up to the conflict(s) may shed light on motives / who is driving the agenda (is it really driven from the regions or is this a Putin initiated proxy war with the west).

> If the population truly does want to align with Russia then democratically, they should be allowed to make such determination.

I’m sure in the interest of fairness Russia will find a way to include all the people they murdered and drove out in their referendum.

> If the population truly does want to align with Russia then democratically, they should be allowed to make such determination.

Politics is not so simple as this, otherwise I, as a single individual, democratically want to secede my land from the US, and can stop paying any and all taxes. If you agree the extreme is absurd, then you realize there is a line to draw somewhere.