If this were a Tom Clancy Story

Considering a sudden destabilization of the Eastern Ukraine conflict at the border with Russia, — and why now — Putin might better strengthen Vladivostok and his extensive border with China. If this was a Tom Clancy book, Ukraine would be a deliberate distraction to draw Russian forces to the west whilst the PLA, with massive ground forces, invades resource rich Eastern Russia, instead of Taiwan. Deception, and an undefended border, might present the World with an accomplished deed far from the reach of the Quad alliance, the US Navy, and Russia’s mechanized ground forces.