That is no possible defense of Russia overrunning and exploiting its neighbors, which includes committing genocide. Also. Russia is NOT a developing country. It's a major world and military power invading a developing country that has chosen to reject its continued dominion over them and demanded NATO membership.

Much like Russia's other neighbors that it conquered and refused to let go - Moldova, Chechnya, Dagestan, Georgia, and everyone else they consider to be "in their orbit" - Ukrainians are dying because Putin is an old-school Russian imperialist who wants to resurrect the USSR and doesn't give two sh*ts about people's lives.

And speaking of "people in the West," that is precisely who and what you are. You may want to tackle the evils committed (past and present) of Western nations, and I applaud and will join you in that. But don't let yourself be duped into promoting evil on behalf of Putin, an old-school Russian Imperialist - based on "whataboutism" and this false bipolar view.