Table the Question for Now

Did Russia engineer that Odessa firebombing death toll that included pro-Russian casualties?

I'll admit it occurred to me. But I kind of doubt Russia did it.

Mind you, I imagine the pro-Russian unrest in Odessa was pushed forward by Russia.

And with so much anger and unrest, an incident somewhere is bound to happen.

But if the incident was engineered by Russia to justify a Russian invasion, why in Odessa?

The main Russian activity is clearly in the far east of Ukraine. Why fire up Russian public opinion about Odessa if the Russian troops move only as far west as Donetsk and Slovyansk?

Doesn't Putin risk angering Russian nationalists if he doesn't "rescue" Odessa's ethnic Russians?

I guess I'll reconsider the question if Russian troops take the deep option and advance all the way to Odessa.