The world at the time was told (by Russia) it's not Russians at all.

They were, you see, just the "local self defense forces" peacefully changing their government. All just happened to be armed with Russia's newest Pecheneg light machineguns, but that was just a coincidence, after all this stuff can be bought in a corner store said Putin personally about them and the other Little Green Men patrolling the streets and taking over buildings. What a mystery it was!

The world at the time was told (by Russia) it's not Russians at all.

They were, you see, just the "local self defense forces" peacefully changing their government. All just happened to be armed with Russia's newest Pecheneg light machineguns, but that was just a coincidence, after all this stuff can be bought in a corner store said Putin personally about them and the other Little Green Men. What a mystery it was!