Russia Ukraine war, page-222398

putin has been playing a high stakes game .......I wonder if he is factoring in what he may lose ....as well as what he might gain ??

Crimeas is very important for russia to hold for Sevastapol to house the Black Sea fleet (although they can't just now) --- potentially it could be lost

and Kalinigrad is separated geographicaly from russia ....and it'speople want political + separation from russia to become an independant Baltic state (like the other three)
if putin crosses red lines he invites more trouble .....just like he did when he started the misconceived invasion into Ukraine