Bottom line is the world is a fractious place and no one knows for sure how anyone, particularly a guy like Putin would react to a heavy hit.
There is also the idea that Putin does have some justification for not wanting NATO on his doorstep.
Putting yourself into others shoes is something we should all do, being careful then to stay as objective as possible. And balanced.
It was Plato who said, “He, O men, is the wisest, who like Socrates, knows that his wisdom is in truth worth nothing”