[vGPU]

Russia would never risk losing access to the Black Sea, as it’s the only year-round military port they have.

For that extremely obvious reason Russia would never allow NATO to control that region of Ukraine.

[red-iron-pine]

This is the answer -- they want the port.

The grain and industry in UKR is also a plus, but a lot of wars have been fought over Crimea, and for good reason.