Yes, that was the plan.

To force nato into the most costly trades possible, early on.

They wanted to force nato to field their heaviest military assets to the frontlines at the time when nuclear rockets will be flying left and right.

And they would attack over very wide fronts for the first few days, before they concentrate their forces, thus concealing their breakthrough trajectory until the most costly trades are done.

It's WW3, mang. If this is going down then chances are nukes are on the table too -- so go all in.