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I can't remember the link I was reading but there's a credible line of thought that it's all about trying to reduce the USA's influence in the rest of the world. Invading to partially show how strong Russia is and scare smaller countries in to line and partially to cause division between NATO countries, greating a Greater Russia in the process is a nice side effect. Obviously that hasn't really worked so far.
Sumo
My understanding of politics/geo-politics is basic at best and usually follows what I see as logic/common sense. What on Earth can Russia possibly gain from this position (financial? Reputation? Influence (again for what?). Surely, if it's territory to exploit natural resources, this will pale into significance when considering the current financial losses and given decades of international sanctions they will be hit with. Is it simply one man's megalomaniacal dick-swinging or is there another belief different to mine that will give the Russian state/population tangible or even intangible benefit? Again, appreciate I might be completely naive, possibly insensitive but usually 'baddies' have a motive of some sort regardless of how frowned upon it is by others.