If Russia lose the war, it risk much more than that. Remember that west want to colonize them again. And this time making sure they aren’t able to eventually rise again like they are doing now. Meaning it will be balkanization. Even the minimal option, losing the Crimea, will have very bad outcome for the Russia economy (losing Black Sea in practice) not to mention potentially tragic ones for the people of Crimea.
It’s not like Russia will be annexed by Ukraine if the former loses. Worst case they might have to cede some territories to Ukraine.
If Russia lose the war, it risk much more than that. Remember that west want to colonize them again. And this time making sure they aren’t able to eventually rise again like they are doing now. Meaning it will be balkanization. Even the minimal option, losing the Crimea, will have very bad outcome for the Russia economy (losing Black Sea in practice) not to mention potentially tragic ones for the people of Crimea.