I think the alarmists have greatly exaggerated any threat from Russia. When they annexed Crimea I assumed they would go for a land corridor in Eastern Ukraine to connect them. They stripped central Asia of their best units to help the supposed “rebels”. After a year they have failed to open a corridor, hold less than 5% or the Ukraine, and have to hide the deaths of their soldiers from their own people. The idea that they are about to overrun other countries is pretty far fetched, though I’m sure Putin dreams of being able to do so.