True, but the target doesn't have to be far from the Ukraine. I did think of the three Baltic States; Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, but all three are NATO members and that would automatically bring down a power of hurt on top of Putin.That would be a fairly dangerous Maskirovka. Russia already committed more forces than it can afford, near Ukraine. It left much of its other regions under-staffed. It would face a real danger from its other neighbors. It is possible Russia is banking on China to protect some of its interests, like the Kuril islands.
But what about Belarus? Putin has been wanting to incorporate Belarus back into Mother Russia for years. However Lukashenko has so far resisted his overtures although remaining friendly with Putin. Lukashenko has been and is facing political problems at home and the last thing Putin would want is a pro western Belarus; another Ukraine, on his border. From Putin's point of view Belarussians are Russians and they should be protected from the evils and sinfulness of the wicked west.
How much pushback and blowback would he get from the west if he invaded and assimilated Belarus?
That's my 1 cents worth.