Pentagon leak: Spring offensive downplayed and different key takeaways

Dozens of categorized US documents were leaked and at the moment are circulating on the internet.

photographs of the categorized files have appeared on messaging app Discord in view that February.

complete with timelines and dozens of navy acronyms, the files, some marked “top mystery”, paint a detailed photo of the conflict in Ukraine and also offer records on China and allies.

Pentagon officers are quoted as saying the files are actual.

BBC news and different news firms have reviewed some of the documents and these are some of the important thing findings.

Western unique forces operating inner Ukraine

One file, dated 23 March, refers to the presence of a small range of Western unique forces working interior Ukraine, with out specifying their sports or area. the UK has the biggest contingent (50), accompanied by way of Latvia (17), France (15), the united states (14) and the Netherlands (1).

Western governments usually refrain from commenting on such sensitive matters, but this detail is in all likelihood to be seized upon by using Moscow, which has in current months argued that it is not simply confronting Ukraine, however Nato as nicely.

Western special forces inside Ukraine, leak shows
How mystery documents seemed on-line, then started out to vanish

different files say while a dozen new Ukrainian brigades – being organized for an offensive that could start inside weeks – may be ready. They listing, in super detail, the tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery pieces that are being provided by Ukraine’s Western allies.

One map consists of a timeline that assesses ground situations across japanese Ukraine as spring progresses.

consistent with the Washington submit newspaper, one document from early February expresses misgivings about Ukraine’s possibilities of achievement in its forthcoming counteroffensive, saying that troubles with generating and sustaining enough forces could result in “modest territorial profits”.

Ukraine’s difficulties in keeping its important air defences are also analysed, with warnings from past due February that Kyiv would possibly run out of crucial missiles.

Casualty figures also are indexed. One slide refers to as many as 223,000 Russian squaddies killed or wounded, and as many as 131,000 Ukrainians.

some Ukrainian officials have dismissed the leaks, suggesting they might constitute a Russian disinformation marketing campaign. but there are signs of frustration and anger too.

One presidential guide, Mykhailo Podolyak, tweeted: “We want less contemplation on ‘leaks’ and extra lengthy-range weapons so as to properly stop the battle.”

Egypt secretly deliberate to deliver rockets to Russia

The Washington put up received get admission to to any other document from mid-February, wherein they determined that Egypt had plans to produce forty,000 rockets for Russia in mystery.

The post said President Abdul Fatah al-Sisi informed officials to hold manufacturing and shipment mystery “to keep away from issues with the West”.

An official is quoted as pronouncing he would “order his people to work shift work if essential because it was the least Egypt should do to pay off Russia for unspecified assist in advance”. it is uncertain what the sooner assist refers to.

In January, Reuters pronounced that Russia’s share of Egyptian wheat imports had risen in 2022, imparting one possible explanation.

there may be no indication that Egypt went in advance with the proposed sale to Russia. it is not recognized if this turned into because of a right away caution from Washington. however Egypt is one in every of the largest recipients of us security assistance, worth around $1bn a year, which gives the us administration tremendous leverage.

An unnamed authentic quoted on Egyptian information channels described the allegation within the file as “utterly baseless” and stated Cairo did no longer take facets within the war.

The Kremlin in the meantime described the allegation as “simply any other canard”.

South Korea torn on turning in guns to Ukraine

A classified document, seen with the aid of the BBC, well-knownshows that South Korea changed into torn about promoting guns for use in Ukraine.

The file, based totally on indicators intelligence, information a sensitive verbal exchange among national security advisors.

they are torn among US pressure to send ammunition to Ukraine and their policy no longer to arm nations at conflict.

one of the advisers suggests sending the shells to Poland instead, to keep away from acting to have given in to the united states.

As a part of a resupply deal ultimate yr, Seoul insisted that america could not bypass the shells directly to Ukraine. Seoul has been reluctant to arm Ukraine, for worry of antagonising Russia.

The leak has brought about security issues in Seoul, with competition politicians questioning how america changed into able to intercept such a excessive-level conversation.

US leak shows S Korea torn on sending Ukraine guns