Meanwhile, the Ukrainian counter-offensive that has not yet begun seems to be going badly. Lots of casualties in manpower and armor (including a few Leopards) and little progress in moving forward. There is no air support and there are very few drones in the skies above the front line (Russian electronic warfare probably works well). There is no stampede, and attack helicopters shoot columns of armored vehicles like in a shooting range. Crimea cannot be won back in this way, Ukraine needs to try harder.
And here's how the protection is going. Russians will come to liberate you with tanks, rape your women, kill your dogs, murder men in cold blood, steal your cars and washing machines, drink all your alcohol and then blow up a dam or a nuclear power plant and destroy what's left. If I were to find myself under the protection of RF, I'd pack my bags and run West.
You forgot about trophy toilets and asphalt, without them the picture would be incomplete.