It is becoming obvious to many people now that the US and NATO are deliberately pushing Russia into global thermonuclear war. In classic game theory, you might imagine two scorpions in a jar, each capable of killing the other, but not before the other one can strike back, effectively killing them both. I prefer to use the analogy of two cowboys in a saloon, each with a loaded gun pointed to the head of the other.
Once the USA / NATO cowboy declares that their goal is the complete destruction of Russia and that there is no common ground and no restoration of geopolitical recognition of Russia’s right to exist, it is in the interests of Russia to shoot first (and hope it can dodge the return fire).