Russia doesn’t have to invade other countries yet, they just have to keep other countries out of the fray. I’m wondering why Russian spies are flying drones aro

Russia doesn’t have to invade other countries yet, they just have to keep other countries out of the fray. I’m wondering why Russian spies are flying drones around infrastructure sites in other countries. I’m also convinced that Russia covets land and does not care about people, so scorched-earth tactics seem more likely. Interrupting friendly infrastructure (covertly, ideally) at the same time would delay reprisals. I hope I’m wrong.