Not only Ukraine is geographically contiguous with Russia the twoThe big problem for Russia starts if they win the war. Just like Afghanistan, they can't hold it or defend it.
are culturally tied to each other closely as well. Mussorgsky's famous
"Great Gate of Kiev" ("Pictures at an exhibition") is identified as a piece
of Russian music more often than Ukrainian music. There will be a
significant presence of Russians in the parts of Ukraine to hold and defend.
Most likely only a small part of Ukraine not the whole country will be annexed.But here is the real rub, they can't afford to rebuild it which will be their responsibility since it is their's now.