Part 2/8:
The initial underestimation of Ukrainian resolve was a critical miscalculation by Russian military planners. In our hypothetical scenario, had Russian leaders perceived Ukraine's willingness to resist more accurately, they could have orchestrated a more stealthy invasion. By opting for covert mobilization, Russia would have surprised Ukraine, limiting its time to prepare defensive measures. The kind of troop buildup observed in our timeline would not have occurred, potentially leading to much weaker defenses in Kyiv.