Massive leak of US classified documents spills online key details on war in Ukraine

Secret documents carrying US and NATO plans to help war-ravaged Ukraine prepare for a potential spring offensive against its neighbour recently spilled online, prompting the Pentagon to address the alleged security breach with a meticulous investigation.

According to a New York Times report, the classified documents reportedly contain details about battalion strengths, weapons deliveries, and other sensitive information.

But some documents seem to have been altered in a disinformation campaign by Russia, the report added, quoting military analysts. While Russian battlefield losses were minimised in one document, the Ukrainian troop deaths were inflated, it further mentioned.

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Russia or pro-Russian elements are possibly behind the leak, Tribune India quoted three US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity considering the sensitivity of the matter. But a handful of other officials said they suspected the documents could be leaked by an American.

Nevertheless, a leak on this scale is likely to harm intelligence sharing between the US and Ukraine. Since Russian troops entered the war-torn nation last year, Washington has been increasingly proactive in sharing real-time intelligence with Kyiv regarding Russian strategies and movements, helping Ukrainians target Russian forces and kill senior generals.

Other Details from the Leaked Documents

1. While one of the slides said Ukraine had suffered as many as 71,500 troop deaths and Russia 16,000 to 17,500, the Pentagon and other analysts have attached a far greater number, saying while Ukraine has had over 100,000 killed and injured, it’s closer to 200,000 for Russia.

2. The classified documents didn’t offer specific battle plans, like when, where and how Ukrainian forces intend to launch their spring offensive.

3. One of the documents provided sensitive information on the training schedules of 12 Ukraine combat brigades, with nine of them receiving training from US and NATO forces. Moreover, of the nine brigades, six would be ready by the end of March and the remaining by the end of April, it added. A Ukrainian brigade usually comprises roughly 4,000 to 5,000 soldiers.