What if Russia invaded Ukraine to deplete our resources and wreck our political institutions?
I think the Russians invaded for the reasons they stated. If the new president of Mexico, a Putin installed stooge, was in the process of making Mexico the 30th Warsaw Pact nation, we might have a war on the Rio Grande in response. Exposing NATO as a woke paper tiger is just a bonus to them.
Whether or not that was the intent or and unintended benefit, it's the result. Ukraine is a black hole that sucks our fortune and gear in large quantities.
If I were Putin, I would keep the status quo - just sit on my newly expanded border and watch the west destroy itself.