It is not about what would happen in a conflict - it is about posturing. Putin is sending (yet another) warning, that the EU west is not just ignoring, but intentionally crossing over as much as possible.
If Putin was as reactionary as they painted him - the world would already be at a hot kinetic war. I suspect the message is mostly for the public as in 'Look I warned you for 2years this would happen if you dont stop', and whatever sane heads exist in the West.
It is not about what would happen in a conflict - it is about posturing. Putin is sending (yet another) warning, that the EU west is not just ignoring, but intentionally crossing over as much as possible.
If Putin was as reactionary as they painted him - the world would already be at a hot kinetic war. I suspect the message is mostly for the public as in 'Look I warned you for 2years this would happen if you dont stop', and whatever sane heads exist in the West.