It's not about NATO encroachment, it's about Russia thinking this is the right time to grab land and force neutrality before Ukraine will have a chance to join, whether you, me or anyone else thinks there was ever a such a chance, there were clear, public calls from NATO that Ukraine membership will be considered. Also you will fail to find a single post where I said it's a valid "justification", so I'm not playing that strawman game.
But I'll keep playing
The argument itself is superficial and fails on it's own.
Russia total border with 5 NATO countries is 1,262 km. Russia border with Ukraine alone is 2,100 km. It will also open a new possible front as it will be a land border on Russia's south.
Thank you google