> Whole rush on occopying south Ukraine (and levelling cities like Mariupol) was for Putin to have grains shortage as yet another leverage on European politicians.
This is an insane oversimplificaiton. There are many reasons the south is strategic, not least of which is that it's not only coastal but contains major port cities. That allows for both the strangling Ukraine, the securing of supply to Russia and the domination of the local sea, including complete control of the Sea of Azov. It also forms a land bridge between Crimea and the Donbas, which is critical for supplying and reinforcing Crimea. Then of course it was also useful in order to restore fresh water supply to Crimea, which Ukraine had cut off. It also buffers the Volgograd gap which Russia considers critical for their security. Don't forget all the other natural resources and industry that the area is rich in. Then of course, one of the best reasons which might be too obvious to even notice: It's the closest to Russia! They can accomplish their undermining of Ukraine without going as far as they would have to otherwise or having Belarus intermediate. Don't forget that the defeat of actual neo-Nazis in Mariupul (That was always Azov Battalion's stronghold.) was probably seen as a big propaganda win at home too.
This is an insane oversimplificaiton. There are many reasons the south is strategic, not least of which is that it's not only coastal but contains major port cities. That allows for both the strangling Ukraine, the securing of supply to Russia and the domination of the local sea, including complete control of the Sea of Azov. It also forms a land bridge between Crimea and the Donbas, which is critical for supplying and reinforcing Crimea. Then of course it was also useful in order to restore fresh water supply to Crimea, which Ukraine had cut off. It also buffers the Volgograd gap which Russia considers critical for their security. Don't forget all the other natural resources and industry that the area is rich in. Then of course, one of the best reasons which might be too obvious to even notice: It's the closest to Russia! They can accomplish their undermining of Ukraine without going as far as they would have to otherwise or having Belarus intermediate. Don't forget that the defeat of actual neo-Nazis in Mariupul (That was always Azov Battalion's stronghold.) was probably seen as a big propaganda win at home too.