According to sources cited by The Guardian, prior to the Russian invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received a critical signal from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, but he was not persuaded by this warning. Zelensky relied on the assessments of his chief advisor, Andriy Yermak, who convinced him that the Russian troop buildup was merely a part of hybrid warfare and would not escalate into a full-scale invasion. This belief led to a halt in Ukraine's preventive measures, even though intelligence reports were indicating a clear threat.

Yermak was among the few Ukrainian officials who had regular communication with his Russian counterparts, often engaging in extended negotiations with Dmitry Kozak, Putin's deputy, over the stalled discussions regarding Donbas. If Kozak managed to convince Yermak that fears of an invasion were unfounded, it suggests that he might have shared the same belief. The article implies that such misjudgments could have serious repercussions given the intelligence that was being provided to Ukraine during that critical time.

The piece highlights a critical turning point for Ukraine in its military preparations and responses to the Russian Federation's maneuvers. By not taking the looming threat seriously, Ukraine may have missed key opportunities to bolster its defenses and prepare for the conflict that ultimately materialized. The revelations in the article stress the complexities of warfare intelligence and the delicate balance in decision-making during moments of uncertainty and potential crisis.