Scott! What the heck? Basic facts keeps slipping from your chronology. Russia tried to take over all of Ukraine, especially Kyiv. Now, maybe it was doing that to protect the people of Donbas. A stretch, but okay. 2nd. Russia hasn't left the Kherson or Kharkiv areas fully to do more for Donbas. The only thing Russia has accomplished, far as I can tell, is get every young man killed in the Donbas.

Putin used "special military operation" to get a government favorable for him. Donbas only became an issue months into the war when he had failed elsewhere. And eve there, he did NOT send in the Russian military but the Wagner Group! Prisoners! Murderers! Rapists! Etc. Yeah, if I'm in Donbas I want those people running around my neighborhood trying to save me. I mean, come on! I don't even see many Russian on Channel 1 or Telegram make the arguments you're making! I only see gullible Westerners romanticize the protect Donbas story.

All this Ukraine was bombing/attacking Donbas is mostly Russian propaganda far as I can tell. People who have been there, who I trust, say it just didn't happen. Putin sent in green men when Ukraine was weak in 2014. Ukraine didn't have the strength to repel them then. Maybe you're right and it doesn't now. We'll just have to see.