Russian escalation came because Putin was feeling the pressure from Navalny's anti-corruption campaign and other domestic problems. His popularity was suffering and successful military operations had always improved his popularity in the past (as they do for most national leaders). Coupled that with his Imperialist ambitions and invading Ukraine seemed like a win/win to him. Domestic concerns influence Geopolitics more than geopolitical concerns do.

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 hour ago

It's absolutely hilarious to me that people think that Navalny was ever some kind of a political force in Russia. The highest his party ever managed to reach was around 3% of the vote. He was a political nobody in Russia. Meanwhile, the fact that Ukrainian nationalists were committing atrocities against the people of Donbass actually did play a role in the decision of helping LPR and DPR liberate themselves. Funny how you trolls always screech about self determination, except when it goes against you narrative.

[–] robot_dog_with_gun@hexbear.net 3 points 7 hours ago

go look up why amnesty international revoked Navalny's "prisoner of conscience" status