&gt;I think this is partially true - I think the feint and withdrawal east was probably plan B, plan A was probably full of immense hopium that Ukraine would just fold, even US intelligence believed this would happen. It obviously didn’t turn out like that but I guess high command believed it was worth trying before they resort to full-scale war. 

I agree with you and don't understand how people think the 'feint' was Plan A. When you see footage of 20 KA-52 helicopters rushing into Hostomel airport on day 1, it's obvious there are much easier/ cheaper ways to tie up forces (ie Transnistria).