Translation pitfall:
Novorussia, which literally means “New Russia” was the name for the East and South Ukraine when the Ukraine was part of Russia.
The east and south of Ukraine are heavily Russian in language and culture. They have little in common with West Ukraine. But neither they nor the Belarusians want to be absorbed into Russia. The affection for Russia has its limits.
Novorossia already has reported the no arm patch Russians with APCs, light arms and mines well into their territory. Donetsk is another done deal for the Russians as well. Poland will do well to recall 1936 and Hungary should remember 1956.
The town I grew up in didn’t have TV in 1956 but I recall the Movietone newsreels of Russian tanks in Hungary. I don’t believe Russian character has changed since.