I think your right. Remember all the talk about strategic nuclear strikes early in the conflict? These boys want to use their toys, and thinking strategically Ukraine might just be an acceptable loss. The West gets their tactical nuclear war test and Russia gets a nuclear buffer zone. I'm not sure that such a nuclear skirmish can be contained. Russia doesn't want to be attacked with nukes, so they are most likely to stay within the lines. The West is justifying more involvement everyday, but they clearly want something.

Rulers don't care about the little guy.