Russia could have masked a stronger amphibious concentration

A major amphibious operation requires overwhelming protection as well as landing ships, yet Russia did not assemble the modern frigates and other combatants that such an operation would demand. Concentrating that force would have signaled intent, but an exercise or Mediterranean deployment could have supplied a cover story. Ships could then have gathered under the appearance of supporting operations in Syria or North Africa before moving toward the Black Sea. Their absence supports the interpretation that Russian planning underestimated Ukrainian resistance instead of seriously preparing for a contested amphibious campaign.