Russia is not being aggressive but assertive. The 2014 US coup in Ukraine that ushered in the reign of anti-Russian groups in Kiev and made Ukraine essentially another US vassal state, changed Russia's calculus with or without Putin. It demonstrated beyond the shadow of a doubt that the US was and is a hostile actor towards Russia. The US does not tolerate nations that offer alternatives, that oppose its foreign policy or that refuse to become vassal states. Look at Hong Kong. Another attempt at color revolution to undermine a nation that dares not to become yet another US vassal state. This bad (illegal) behavior on part of the US will continue unless it is confronted and effectively deterred/opposed.I don't think active fighting will break out but Russia is certainly taking a very aggressive posture. Supposedly 1st Guards Tank Army, the most elite armour formation in all of Russia has been deployed to Yelnya, Smolensk Oblast, 250km from the border.
Russia and China are not special to receive this kind of treatment by the US and its vassal states. The US will conduct this type of hybrid warfare against any nation, big or small, that threatens its economic and military domination over the nations of this planet.