One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.
There are real reasons why this war is happening, Putin and the Russians aren't stupid. They wouldn't risk the entire country on this adventure if they didn't have good reasons.
The US has been supporting the neo-Nazis in Ukraine to lead an anti-Russian agenda, attempting to ban the Russian language, etc simply to get one back at the Russians and to loosen the Russian influence in Europe. They hated European reliance in Russian energy and gas, the money laundering by European banks and financial institutions of the Russian oligarchs, and Russia's ever increasing encroachment into European politics.
The rednecks on this forum are too stupid, ignorant, or don't want to acknowledge that this war has been precipitated by direct US meddling in Ukraine and Europe. Putin and the Russians knew all this. They know it's a trap. But they gambled that they would rather take on Ukraine now while they still have a chance, rather than wait any longer before it became too well armed by the US.