Russia don't consider Ukrainians Russian... They proved that in history...There is no need for CIA handbooks for it. Declare "America for [white anglosaxon protestant] Americans!", "Georgia for [ethnic] Georgians!", "North Dakota for Dakota [people]!", or "Ukraine of [ethnic] Ukrainians!", ban official or any public usage of the languages people actually speak, ban most popular party in the country, publically and demonstratively burn alive people who openly and legally protest against your regime, murder in secret those who, you think, may be a protester.... And there will be no trouble to uprise people against your regime. Russia have been doing it, at least, since 1618, long before Americans even start thinking about their independence. Actually, American Revolutionary War was partly inspired by Russia, too.
And vice versa - you can't uprise people if they are really satisfied with their situation.
So Ukrainians want to reject Russia, would you blame them (They got 20% of there population killed because they were not Russian) and join the EU...
Putin can't have Ukraine joining the EU because like all other ex soviet countries they will get rid of corruption, rich and enjoy a much higher standard of living... (They also will stop jailing journalists, political opposition....).
How is Putin going to explain to Russian's that they have to live in poverty if Ukraine get wealthier and happier... That is a hard sell...
Putin need Democracy to die so he find himself at the end of a rope for stealing off his own people...
This is not about what is best for Russia, this is about what is best for Putin... More Russians to the meat grinder..