As well as the broader “NATO moving up to our doorstep” justification, the more specific (as to timing) “Ukraine shelling and moving troops to prepare to follow up the shelling with a massive ground offensive against the DPR/LPR” excuse is regularly used by both Russian official sources and Russian proxies.
Russia has described them as Russian by identity and allegiance and responsibility of the R.F., even if not juridically (and has since purported to annex them juridically, as well.)
Putin also cited direct military threat by Ukraine to Russia generally (including nuclear threat), and invasion threat to “Russian” Crimea specifically, in his speech coinciding with the opening of the 2022 invasion.
"Western" = "Ukrainian"
"DNR/LNR" = "Russia"
"Threat" = "aggression"
Next, we will be "warmongering" = "peacemaking". Oh wait, this is already a thing. Along with "ignorance" = "strength".
Next thing I know you're going to tell me Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia is a real, sovereign country and totally not just Russia invading a neighbor.
Well, I had to look this up on Wikipedia, but in a nutshell, that is roughly correct. To be precise, Abkhazia is a de facto independent state, and has been since the Georgian-Abkhaz war of 1992. Russia only recognised its independence in 2008, probably in response to Georgia's plans to join NATO.
Not sure of you are agreeing with what I said above, or disagreeing. Can you re-read the thread carefully and clarify?