As someone born in Crimea and moved to Kyiv in 2014, I can tell you that a preventive strike is the last thing people in Ukraine really want now. And that is exactly what Russia wants to provoke or stage if that fails. And I will have to decide (if l will have the time for that choice) if I am going to fight or run. The former is more "right" , but the latter might be more "practical". Just appreciate the fact that most of HN audience do not have to make that kind of choice.

Yes, very possible. Ukraine wants Donbas and Crimea back. And they are not excluding use of force.

This is also why Ukraine will not join NATO until they resolve their business with Russia.

Why would they want to reclaim Donbass and Crimea right now? They can easily wait until Russia collapses under the rule of a madman.