Look closer at this and it starts to make sense that this isn't Russia invading but rather a few old Soviet commanders going rogue.
If so, it's the start of a Russian civil war. Have they split? What would it look like if Russia went after these rogue commanders? Would they be made to look like they started it in the eyes of the Russian people? If NATO gets involved what is the impact on their opinion. Something is up.
I doubt Putka has access to nukes. He's bluffing? What if the only nukes he has are the poweplants?