Highly classified US documents that recently leaked online have revealed insight into the Russian military’s struggles in the Ukraine war and an evaluation of Ukraine’s fighting strength.
The document also contains information on intelligence gathering by the US on its key allies such as South Korea, Israel, and Ukraine.
Second batch of classified documents detailing US secrets on Ukraine war, China and Middle East are leaked on social media https://t.co/P6im4g7d4B pic.twitter.com/67ZcshiSv7
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) April 8, 2023
Crucial Information on Russia-Ukraine War
The leaked documents show how the US infiltrated the Wagner Group, a private Russian mercenary group, and the Russian Defence Ministry’s security and intelligence services through intercepted communication and human sources.
As per one of the documents, Russian troops reportedly suffered around “189,500 to 223,000 casualties” as of February 2023, with at least “43,000 troops killed in action.” Whereas, “Ukraine had suffered 124,500 to 131,000 casualties, with up to 17,500 killed in action.”
However, certain experts and analysts have said that these figures have been modified and shared in some instances to create a particular narrative that favour’s either side.
On the one hand, American intelligence agencies received real-time warnings about the timing of Moscow’s attacks and specific targets. Such information was passed on to Ukraine to defend itself against these strikes.
On the other hand, a leaked document, dated late February and early March, reveals the dire state of Ukraine’s military with critical shortages of air defence munitions. Such a leak could harm Ukraine’s war efforts by exposing its plans and weak points to Russia.
Additionally, while the US has extensive knowledge about Russia’s planning, a document indicates that this may not be the case regarding US intelligence on Ukraine, highlighting the possibility of America spying on Ukraine’s top military officials to get a clear view of their military strategies.
Ukraine suggests Russia altered leaked US intelligence documents https://t.co/XGPGcqnfKi pic.twitter.com/Y3PYgOMJLv
— The Hill (@thehill) April 10, 2023
US Claims Leaked Documents are Real
US officials have confirmed that parts of the leaked documents are legitimate, although some may have been altered.
According to the senior US authorities, the FBI has initiated an investigation to determine the source of the leak. The leak has been regarded as a “massive intelligence breach,” tracing the source of which may be challenging.
Ukraine Dismisses Documents as Fake
Ukrainian officials have dismissed the leaked documents as fake, claiming that Russia forged them. The Ukrainian Defence Ministry Main Intelligence Directorate Spokesperson, Andrii Yusov, stated, “the most successful operation of the Russian special services took place in Photoshop.”
Mykhailo Podolyak, the advisor to Ukraine’s President's head of office, stated on his Telegram channel that the documents are based on “large amounts of fictitious information” and have “nothing to do with Ukraine’s real plans.”
As reported by the sources, Ukraine may have altered some of its military plans because of the leak.