[fullmetal]

I believe the Donbas region still has economically viable coal deposits, and there are somewhat new natural gas finds in the Sea of Azov.  Russia will prize Crimea above Donbas because of Sevastopol, historical home port of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.  I find that water-centric analysis interesting too.  At this point, I don't know if Ukraine is willing to make any concessions.  They may have the momentum.

Yes, I did assume Naval Infantry to be similar to the Marines, but I think the US Marine Corps has developed a very sharp focus over the last few decades to the point where they've divested themselves of their armored units -- specifically, they no longer operate tanks in order to be lighter and more expeditionary, so to speak.  Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it seems the Corps' move away from tanks has been prescient.  Anti-tank weapons are quite effective.

Anyway, Russian Naval Infantry might be similar to the US Marines in appearance, but I have no reason to assume they're even near the same well-defined scope/function or effectiveness.  If Russia is running low on Army infantry and looking to backstop with Naval infantry (square peg, round hole?)...well...it's about the same reason why they're sending in conscripts from their border regions and about to spin up a new draft.  They're desperate.

[fullmetal]

I believe the Donbas region still has economically viable coal deposits, and there are somewhat new natural gas finds in the Sea of Azov.  Russia will prize Crimea above Donbas because of Sevastopol, historical home port of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.  I find that water-centric analysis interesting too.  At this point, I don't know if Ukraine is willing to make any concessions.  They may have the momentum.

Yes, I did assume Naval Infantry to be similar to the Marines, but I think the US Marine Corps has developed a very sharp focus over the last few decades to the point where they've divested themselves of their armored units -- specifically, they no longer operate tanks in order to be lighter and more expeditionary, so to speak.  Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it seems the Corps' move away from tanks has been prescient.  Anti-tank weapons are quite effective.

Anyway, Russian Naval Infantry might be similar to the US Marines in appearance, but I have no reason to assume they're even near the same well-defined scope/function or effectiveness.  If Russia is running low on Army infantry and looking to backstop with Naval infantry (square peg, round hole?)...well...it's about the same reason why they're sending in conscripts from their border regions and about to spin up a new draft.  They're desperate.