I think so. The Russian command likely got optimistic reports from below about their combat readiness. The UK and US had better views into the command conferenc

I think so. The Russian command likely got optimistic reports from below about their combat readiness. The UK and US had better views into the command conference rooms than their views on the quality of the force on the ground. While as @hkpack said, the Ukraine command had a good understanding of the quality of the Russian force and thus believed they wouldn't go for it. A very a tragic shit-show which could have been avoided if Ukraine had gotten the support it needed before the invasion instead of well into it.