This whole conflict makes so little sense.
It's just horrible for Russia. Politically, internationally, monetary. Leading to isolation.
The only reason I can imagine is that Russians have began to hate the west so much, motivated by a worldview where west==all evil in the world, has all the blame for russian failings, feeling belittled in the post USSR time, and of course fueled by state propaganda.
It's good shit because this worldview explains russians failings, puts focus on an external enemy, and gives them a perceived moral right.
Russian Failings explained:
Russians believe west is just as rotten as Russia, fueled by selected horror stories from the west every day on State News. In fact, you don't have to spend a lot of time in the western system to understand it's VASTLY better in every way. Also works the other way Tovi. Go spend some time in Russia and see how utter shit the system there is.
External enemy:
NATO creeping up on Russia. Yes, and No. 1st of all NATO vs Russia war will never happen. Nukes and MAD will make sure of that. 2nd: Russia has themselves CHASED their former occupied territories into begging to join Nato. Cause they treated them really bad.
Moral Right
Because west has been a bad boy all over the world, Russia is Good. This is a basic logical fallacy. Oh, and gay's don't exist in Russia. Western disease. And Norwegian child care steals children from Russians and abuses them..
In the end though, all this functions as an excellent diversion of emotions for Russians. They get to taste the sweetness of (misdirected) revenge, and the summoning of a ghost of a former empire.
In short: Insane. Putin personally the only winner.
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