I think the overall purpose is to knockout Russia's capacity to deliver the will of Putin at the drop of a kopeck. Until he is unable to control mass weapons he can stir up trouble at a tweet.

Someone (maybe it's us) is footing a big big bill to this end. We do not believe he is going to pull his own punches. He is a snake who needs to be de-fanged, just like the Communists, of which he is a poor sick reminder.