I agree with Ramil and Basil77.
We've already seen this happen before, a few time. We know how everybody involved will react. There are a few possible outcomes, but on the whole it's like a play where the script has already been written.
Plus, as they hint at: There is never any winner in a war! Only weapons manufacturers, political leaders, generals and bankers. Regular people of the countries involved are those who lose out.

Particularly not in these post USSR wars, some regions are still "unrecognised", "breakaway territories". They can't establish legal economies, they become dependent on aid from Russia or blackmarket activities and corruption. I
And Russia has NOT incorporated these places into the Russian Federation even if the population there would probably support it or at least accept it. Instead, Russia has to keep spending money there, to keep up their commitments.

I realise Crimea has strategic importance and is not "any" random territory, like the other breakaway republics.
But why get excited about the prospect of more land for Russia, it's already the biggest country!!

If Russia was directly responsible for ONE single death in Ukraine, then this would be used for an EXTREME propaganda campaign.

It would be absolutely relentless until everybody in Europe was scared to DEATH of Russia and approved of Nato missile launchers all over the place and more American bases. Pathetic that people are such sheeps, but it's true.
Just see how they managed to play the South Ossetia war - it's used by everybody who wants to be paranoid of Russia, or villify it, as an excuse.

And for what gain - do you really care about Crimea, does it MATTER?

I think the people in the Crimea should organise a referendum there asap - invite some human rights or EU observers there to monitor, for international credibilty and have a referendum. If the world knows the opinions of the Crimeans, then how can they object to a truly autonomous region, or an independent state..?

Another option (but I don't like it) is that Russia says "f-ck international opionion, we know what Crimeans want and we'll use our military to make sure they get it, and we keep the bases." However this would play straight into American weapons manufacturers, various nations and others who would love to see Cold War 2.0 and will manipulate any event to lead to that goal.

I agree - RU government should tell people what their plans are - since there are such close ties between the countries, and since everybod realises that Russia will have to choose a course of action. Maybe they are still thinking about it....?