But Crimea is already semi-autonomous and self governing as is. Plus with an upcoming referendum to further increase this independence it'll keep the Russian bases out of Kiev's influence. I don't see this as Russia going for broke so much as I see it as a challenge to what they believe to be an illegitimate regime which has destabilized Ukraine. Plus lesbianas, Putin's plan for a Eurasian bloc to rival the EU would be ruined if Ukraine fell through his grasps. If he's set to make that economic bloc a reality then the new regime in Kiev better fall back....only problem is they don't run the streets in Kiev the mobs of protesters do.
The opposition overplayed its hand and Putin just put them in an even worse position knowing the EU/US would be reluctant to intervene.