Russia Ukraine war, page-198169

"...they were in Donbas in 2014 - not in uniform but nevertheless present..."
The Russian Army was not present in Donbas until February 2022.

There were thousands of Russian troops and sailors present in Crimea. As per the Russian-Ukrainian agreement (Kharkiv pact) which allowed Russia to station up to 25,000 troops there.

So you saying "I think" means you know absolutely zilch about what was going on at that time. Your credibility has just found another bottom.