_sw_

What kind of a threat? What they were afraid of? Were they afraid that Ukraine will no longer do as they please and therefore they wanted to show that they simply can't.

Ok, lets say that it is the reason. Doesn't it show how weak they really are? They are admitting that demonstrations in another country - even as close as Ukraine - can cause their own people in Russia to protest and that they have no answer other than to send military force.