The alleged reason why Russia attacked was because they want a buffer zone of neutral countries around them. Apparently the US has been running its agenda pushing for Eastern European countries to join NATO knowing it'd stir some shit by ruffling Russia's delicate feathers. So Russia panicked when Ukraine looked to join NATO at the US's suggestion and basically used the gay panic defense but for the Western allegiance arriving in their backyard and invaded under a pretext.

Yes, the USA did ignore Russia's concerns knowingly (and did some very questionable shit inside Ukraine, as usual) but Russia imagined the worst scenario for themselves and did the illegal shit.