I'm trying to figure out why Putin wants Ukraine. That Russia wanted Crimea is a no brainer. It turns out that history and Stalin has Putin drooling over Ukraine. https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/why-does-putin-want-control-ukraine-ask-stalin/2017/10/20/800a7afe-b427-11e7-a908-a347075

The MOAB explanation however is more like a World War Z movie that was written by Mel Brooks' son - really.
In the expanse of Ukraine's Chernobyl there arose mutant people from feral children who heal at at a phenomenal rate making for a real life Wolverine of Marvel comics. These 'super soldiers' are the ones that Putin seeks. :^/