The only interference in Ukraine was the rigged elections and that was by the US. The ‘fake republics’ you refer to are regions that asked for the Russians to intervene to stop the years of Ukrainian atrocities, shelling, etc. against the Russian Ukrainian citizens in the south and southeast Ukraine region(s).
That's complete and utter nonsense. Putin intervened immediately in 2014 with his 'little green men' setting up these 'fake republics'.
Although in 2014 the Russian government often denied direct involvement, saying their soldiers were there voluntarily and not under orders, some of them had been captured with documents that said otherwise. The separatists have admitted receiving supplies from Russia and being trained there. BBC reported that separatist ranks are composed of thousands of Russian citizens
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_separatist_forces_in_Donbas