I really think it was a mistake, but it was not an honest mistake. Putin’s been exacerbating tensions there from the very beginning of the crisis. He’s doing these things so he can reestablish the Russian Empire with himself as the grand new Czar. Other nations near his borders need to fear him and his use of proxies. He is ruthless and steadfastly pursuing his goals.
More than likely. I have a problem with States funding and arming rebels to undermine governments and then washing their hands of any actions that may occur because of it. I have a problem when Russia does it, when the EU and when the USA and Britain does it. They bear some responsibility with how these weapons are used and who they are supplied to. At a minimum Putin needs to be scolded for this. I will wait and see if his soldiers were directly involved and if so he has to wear the blame politically and should resign or be ostracized by all decent countries!