Russia spent vast sums paying a network of collaborators before the Ukraine war. Most simply took

[Princess Turandot]

5. Putin likely expected his very own Anschluss..

.....Poor poor Pootie. Look at what he couldn't have.

I assume that Medvedchuk is nailing all of his windows shut as we type.

On the afternoon of 12 March 1938, Hitler rolled into Austria en route to Vienna with a 4,000-strong 'body guard'. Once there, he would declare the creation of Greater Germany. 200,000 Viennese turned out to hear him.(An actual Wehrmacht army battalion had invaded earlier that same day, but met no resistance.)

Cheering crowds greet the Nazis in Vienna.


Hitler announces the Anschluss on the Heldenplatz, Vienna, 15 March 1938:

You can see an 8 minute clip from the events here, if interested.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/%22German_Entry_into_Austria%22_02_09_21_00_to_02_17_54_00.webm