[KptMarchewa]

>Additionally, because most of populated Russia is a flat plane, they have no geographic barriers to protect their cities. Therefore they need to forward position their troops in order to feel secure.

This is very weird argument that smells of taking russian propaganda on face value. There's no "geographical barrier" other than what, hundreds of kilometers of land? They don't need "forward position". Closest point from Ukraine to Moscow is barely less than from Latvia, and St Pete is pretty much on NATO border, yet somehow... land road to Crimea makes them feel "secure"?

The real answer is that there is no "feeling insecure" at all other than in propaganda, and invasion of Ukraine is purely for maintaining the empire. There can be no "russian world" country that is outside of russia and prospers.