Territorial expansion is part of Russian nationalism. Putin may get away with this, because nationalists support this cause. On the left it's Soviet nostalgia, on the right Imperial White Russia.
There is people on left [1] and right within Russia who views this as western war against Russia. They view Ukraine as part of Russia, and thus west is waging war on Russia.
Danger is, if Putin can portray this as west vs Russia, he could start enlisting people from far-left and far-right. That army would be quiet different in it's morale than the first dumbfound army he sent which thought they were going to exercises.
There are more areas, such as parts of Kazakhstan which could be targets, Russian ambassador has already warned them to not stage exercises with NATO. [2]
There is people on left [1] and right within Russia who views this as western war against Russia. They view Ukraine as part of Russia, and thus west is waging war on Russia.
Danger is, if Putin can portray this as west vs Russia, he could start enlisting people from far-left and far-right. That army would be quiet different in it's morale than the first dumbfound army he sent which thought they were going to exercises.
There are more areas, such as parts of Kazakhstan which could be targets, Russian ambassador has already warned them to not stage exercises with NATO. [2]
[1]: https://twitter.com/s_udaltsov/status/1499476989278887951 [2]: https://thediplomat.com/2022/02/russian-ambassador-to-kazakh...