Ukraine as an industrial powerhouse really started to take off under the Soviet leadership, in fact compared to most of 'Muscovy' empire iteration, the Soviet Union is the most compassionate to Ukraine, compared that to the Russian empire. Its less industry but more about buffer. Ownership of Ukraine and Belarus is the bare minimum for Moscow just to feel safe from any outward threat because there's really not much geographical defence for Moscow with European flat lands next to it. Armies attacking Russia traditionally march through those flat lands, hence its best for Moscow to make the front line as far away West as possible.
The Soviet Union reached the most success in this effort by stretching the front line at its furthest extent in the Cold war by puppetting Poland, East Germany and Czechoslovakia.
So invading Ukraine is a political necessity for Moscow regardless of who is in charge. Many people portray this as a Putin only problem, believe me if Navalny is the President of Russia he will annex Ukraine sooner or later.