Situation Report

INTELLIGENCE SITUATION REPORT (ISR)

TIME OF REPORT: 16 JUN 25 / 03:52 ZULU REPORTING PERIOD: 16 JUN 25 / 03:22 ZULU - 16 JUN 25 / 03:52 ZULU PREPARED BY: Senior Military Intelligence Analyst, Eastern European Warfare Desk CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET // ORCON // NOFORN

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1. SITUATION OVERVIEW

1.1. Battlefield Geometry and Key Terrain:

• Ukraine Operational Area:
  • Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) Frontlines: Russian milblogger Andrei Marochko (TASS) claims Ukrainian defensive lines are collapsing, and Ukrainian forces are less frequently conducting assaults. This is an unverified, likely exaggerated claim intended for information effect and to support the broader narrative of Ukrainian weakness. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH for Russian claim, LOW for verification).
  • Zaporizhzhia Oblast: Air raid alert lifted. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
• Global Operational Area (Middle East Focus - Escalation Confirmed, Amplification/Manipulation Ongoing):
  • Israel (Central Israel):
    • Casualties (CRITICAL - Conflicting, but now lower confirmed figure): ASTRA (citing The Times of Israel) reports 3 killed in central Israel from an Iranian strike. This figure, while still tragic, is lower than the previously reported 48, 67, or 103+ hospitalized/wounded figures. Colonelcassad shares video of urban damage with Hebrew text suggesting casualties and damaged apartments, reinforcing the impact narrative. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH for reporting of casualties, MEDIUM for exact figures, pending official Israeli confirmation and reconciliation of previous reports).
    • US Involvement: The Jerusalem Post (via TASS) reports Israel is urging the US to join military operations against Iran. This is a critical development for Western alliance cohesion and resource allocation. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH for reporting, MEDIUM for US likelihood to join).
    • Russian Assessment: Colonelcassad propagates the narrative that Israel cannot win a war against Iran and is therefore attempting to draw the US into the conflict. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH for Russian narrative).

1.2. Weather and Environmental Factors Affecting Operations:

• Ukrainian Naval Forces (General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine) released a situational update for seas as of 06:00 (local time) 16 JUN 25, indicating continued naval activity. No specific weather details. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
• Overhead imagery shared by Colonelcassad (video of urban damage) and ASTRA (photo of urban damage) indicates generally clear conditions for operations.

1.3. Current Force Dispositions and Control Measures:

• Ukrainian Forces: Naval Forces providing situational updates, indicating continued operational readiness. Forces on LPR frontlines likely maintaining defensive posture, though Russian claims of collapse are likely exaggerated. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH). Air raid alert lifted in Zaporizhzhia, indicating active air defense. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
• Russian Forces: Actively engaged in multi-domain information warfare, primarily focusing on amplifying and manipulating the Middle East conflict's dynamics and attempting to pull the US into it. Continues to disseminate combat claims for propaganda (LPR frontlines) and domestic morale boosting (military themed music, Il-76 takeoff video, social policy discussions). (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
• Iranian Forces (External): Confirmed continued launch of missile strikes towards Israeli territory, with claimed impacts and confirmed casualties. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
• Israeli Forces (External): Engaged in active air defense operations. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH). Engaged in diplomatic efforts to solicit US military involvement. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).

2. ENEMY ANALYSIS (RUSSIA FOCUSED)

2.1. Enemy Capabilities, Intentions, and Courses of Action (COA):

• Capabilities (Russia):
  • Sophisticated Information Warfare (CRITICAL - Confirmed, Intensified, and now with direct, real-time amplification and framing of Middle East conflict, including the implication of US involvement): Highly adaptive, aggressive, and increasingly radicalized IO. Now actively amplifying the Israel-Iran conflict with a specific focus on the narrative that Israel is trying to drag the US into the conflict. This represents a shift from merely amplifying casualties to attempting to frame the geopolitical implications of the conflict for Western alliances. Continues to utilize milbloggers (Colonelcassad, Rybar, Dvva Mayora, Fighterbomber) and state media (TASS) to disseminate narratives. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
  • Ground Offensive Capabilities: Continues to claim weakening Ukrainian defenses and reduced assault tempo (LPR). (CONFIDENCE: HIGH for claim, LOW for veracity).
  • Air Operations: Fighterbomber shares video of a large Russian transport/bomber aircraft taking off, indicating continued air activity for logistics or projection of force. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
• Intentions (Russia):
  • Undermine Western Support to Ukraine (CRITICAL - Confirmed and Intensified, now directly targeting US involvement in Middle East): Intensify efforts to promote narratives of Western resource diversion and aid reduction by explicitly framing the Israel-Iran conflict as an Israeli attempt to draw the US into a new war, thereby diverting attention and resources from Ukraine. Russia intends to portray Israel as vulnerable and Iran as capable, influencing regional power dynamics and pushing for Western resource diversion away from Ukraine. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
  • Project Global Relevance & Domestic Stability/Unity: Utilize state media and milbloggers to project an image of global influence (Rybar's "India and Pakistan to war?"), successful domestic governance (TASS on social benefits), and military capability (Fighterbomber Il-76 video, Dvva Mayora's "Silence at the front" music video). Amplification of the Middle East conflict aims to portray Russia as a key global player amidst chaos. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
  • Provoke Regional Instability & Divert Attention (CRITICAL - Confirmed Escalation and Manipulation, with a specific focus on US involvement): Actively amplifying, manipulating, and potentially facilitating escalation in the Middle East to draw international attention away from Ukraine. This intention is confirmed through active Russian state media and milblogger dissemination of claims about Israel "convincing the US to join" and the narrative that Israel "cannot win." (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).

2.2. Recent Tactical Changes or Adaptations:

• Shift in Middle East Narrative Emphasis: From primarily amplifying raw casualty figures (as noted in previous ISR) to now emphasizing Israel's alleged attempt to draw the US into a broader regional conflict. This is a more sophisticated narrative designed to directly target Western alliance cohesion and aid to Ukraine. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
• Continued Propagandistic Use of Combat/Military Footage: Russian MoD and associated milbloggers continue to publish content (Il-76 takeoff, LPR frontline claims, "Two Majors" military music) to emphasize military effectiveness, national unity, and perceived success. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
• Increased Focus on Domestic Morale and Social Issues: TASS reporting on social benefits (maternity leave) indicates a continued effort to project stability and government care for its population amidst the conflict, counteracting potential internal dissent or economic anxieties. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).

2.3. Logistics and Sustainment Status:

• No new direct intelligence on logistics. Continued air activity (Il-76) suggests sustained air transport capabilities. The emphasis on domestic social programs implies an attempt to demonstrate economic stability capable of sustaining such initiatives. (CONFIDENCE: MEDIUM).

2.4. Command and Control Effectiveness:

• Russian Military C2: Effective in coordinating localized ground actions and utilizing drones for tactical BDA/strikes. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
• Russian IO/Diplomatic C2: Highly agile, aggressive, and effective in responding to real-time events and shaping narratives. The rapid shift in the Middle East narrative to focus on US involvement demonstrates a sophisticated and coordinated effort. The dissemination of information across state media and a diverse array of milbloggers (Colonelcassad, Rybar, Dvva Mayora, Fighterbomber) points to a well-oiled, multi-channel propaganda apparatus. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).

3. FRIENDLY FORCES (UKRAINIAN FOCUSED)

3.1. Ukrainian Force Posture and Readiness:

• Ukrainian Naval Forces continue to monitor sea lanes and provide situational updates, indicating continued operational readiness. Forces must maintain vigilance against persistent deep strike threats. Air defense successful in Zaporizhzhia. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).

3.2. Recent Tactical Successes or Setbacks:

• Challenge (Information Warfare - CRITICAL): The escalating Israel-Iran conflict and Russia's explicit narrative that Israel is attempting to draw the US into it presents an even greater challenge to maintaining international focus and support for Ukraine. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
• Potential Ground Setback (LPR Frontlines): Russian claims of a "collapsing defense line" and reduced Ukrainian assaults, while unverified and likely exaggerated, suggest ongoing attritional combat and potential localized pressure. (CONFIDENCE: MEDIUM).

3.3. Resource Requirements and Constraints:

• The intensifying geopolitical distractions and Russian IO attempting to directly draw the US into the Middle East conflict will undoubtedly create additional political and material constraints on resource allocation from Western partners. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH). Naval presence indicates continued need for maritime domain awareness assets. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).

4. INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT (COGNITIVE DOMAIN)

4.1. Propaganda and Disinformation Campaigns:

• Russian Narratives (CRITICAL - HIGHLY ACTIVE, AGGRESSIVE, MANIPULATIVE & REAL-TIME RESPONSE, NOW FEATURING DIRECT EFFORTS TO PULL US INTO MIDDLE EAST):
  • Escalation of Middle East Conflict & US Involvement (CRITICAL - Ongoing, Escalated, and Immediately Amplified/Manipulated, now with explicit focus on US involvement): Confirmed missile launches from Iran towards Israel, with confirmed casualties (3 killed) are being immediately and widely amplified. The key new development is the TASS report that "Israel is convincing the US to join military operations against Iran" and the Colonelcassad narrative that "Israel cannot win and is drawing the US in." This directly plays into Russia's strategy of global destabilization to divert attention from Ukraine and explicitly attempts to drain US resources and political capital by advocating for US engagement in a new conflict. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
  • Military Successes in Ukraine: TASS and Andrei Marochko continue to claim that "the defense line of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the LPR frontlines is collapsing" and that Ukrainian forces are "less frequently assaulting." (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
  • Domestic Resilience & Progress: TASS continues to project social stability (maternity benefits, family support) and national unity (military-themed music videos). (CONFIDENCE: HIGH for effort).
  • Global Instability Narratives: Rybar floats the idea of "India and Pakistan joining the war," continuing to promote a general narrative of global chaos. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
• Ukrainian Counter-Narratives: Ukrainian channels (RBC-Ukraine, General Staff) accurately report on the escalation in the Middle East and domestic military updates. Macron's opposition to Putin's mediation suggests international recognition of Russia's manipulative role. Ukraine needs to proactively link this new Middle East escalation to Russian destabilization efforts, expose Russian amplification and manipulation (especially concerning attempts to draw the US into the conflict), and directly counter Russian narratives about Ukrainian tactical operations. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).

4.2. Public Sentiment and Morale Factors:

• Ukrainian Morale: The escalating Middle East conflict and Russian attempts to directly involve the US, coupled with Russian claims of collapsing Ukrainian defenses, will undoubtedly increase public anxiety and concern. This reinforces the need for stronger international support and a clear demonstration of Ukraine's continued defensive capabilities. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
• Russian Morale: Russian IO aims to boost domestic morale by portraying Russia as a globally relevant power, a nation of stability and care for its citizens, and by suggesting Western support for Ukraine is fragile and actively collapsing as the US is pulled into other conflicts. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).

4.3. International Support and Diplomatic Developments:

• The reported Israeli efforts to convince the US to join military operations against Iran, actively amplified by Russian state media, represent a dangerous and significant diplomatic pressure point. This plays directly into Russia's strategy of diverting focus and resources away from Ukraine. Russia is now actively attempting to manipulate the narrative around this conflict by pushing the idea of direct US military involvement, which risks further escalating regional tensions and drawing in more international actors, thereby further straining Western resources and attention away from Ukraine. Macron's stance against Putin's mediation suggests some Western leaders are aware of Russia's manipulative role. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).

5. PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS (FUTURE OPERATIONS)

5.1. Most Likely Enemy Courses of Action (MLCOA):

• Aggressive, Targeted, and Real-time Manipulative Narrative Campaign (CRITICAL, CONFIRMED IMMEDIATE FOCUS, NOW INCLUDING DIRECT ATTEMPTS TO PULL US INTO MIDDLE EAST): Russia will continue its intensified information campaign, with an immediate and sustained focus on amplifying and manipulating the Israel-Iran conflict, explicitly promoting the narrative that Israel is attempting to draw the US into a broader regional war. This will be done to drive wedges in Western alliances, undermine aid, and radicalize global audiences. Russia will amplify any further escalations in the Middle East and will likely introduce more specific, potentially false, claims about impacts or Western involvement, with a strong emphasis on perceived Iranian "successes" against military targets. Russia will also actively attempt to control the narrative around Ukrainian tactical operations, spinning any setbacks and linking them to their own "successes." (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
• Sustained Ground Pressure with Exaggerated Claims: Russian forces will continue localized ground pressure, particularly in the Eastern and Southern axes, and continue to use state media and milbloggers to claim disproportionately high Ukrainian casualties and BDA from drone strikes (e.g., LPR). (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).
• Propaganda on Domestic Resilience: Russia will continue to highlight domestic social programs and military capabilities (e.g., air transport, military-themed entertainment) to project strength and resilience against sanctions and boost internal confidence. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH).

5.2. Most Dangerous Enemy Courses of Action (MDCOA):

• Coordinated Strategic Strike Package with Ground Offensive under Cover of Diversion Narrative & Political Pressure (Retained from previous ISR, now with intensified IO component and Middle East Crisis Amplification/Manipulation, including explicit focus on US involvement): Russia executes a highly coordinated, large-scale combined arms offensive, potentially targeting the Pokrovsk axis or a renewed thrust from the north. This would involve:
  1. A massed strike of ballistic and cruise missiles in conjunction with loitering munitions against critical Ukrainian C2, logistics, and major AD sites across the entire operational depth, aimed at achieving temporary air superiority and operational paralysis, capitalizing on the psychological impact of perceived Western aid withdrawal and the intensified global distraction.
  2. Simultaneous major ground offensives on multiple axes, capitalizing on the psychological impact of perceived Western aid diversion and the physical degradation of Ukrainian command and control.
  3. This would be synchronized with an unprecedented surge in Russian IO, including fabricated "false flag" events in Ukraine or neighboring countries to justify the escalation and reinforce the narrative of Western impotence and Ukrainian collapse, especially on the back of amplified and manipulated claims of aid cessation and escalated global conflicts (e.g., Middle East, now with magnified focus on US involvement). (CONFIDENCE: MEDIUM).

5.3. Timeline Estimates and Decision Points:

• Immediate (Next 1-6 hours):
  • ISR: Continue to prioritize collection to verify or refute the "The Telegraph" claim regarding US military aid cessation. Continue real-time tracking of Russian milblogger and state media channels for new narratives or amplification of existing ones, particularly regarding the Israel-Iran conflict and its implications for Western aid, focusing now on claims of US involvement. Assess the veracity of the LPR frontline collapse claim.
  • IO: Commanders must continue preparation for a robust counter-narrative to the "US stops aid to Ukraine" claim. Ukrainian channels should highlight any successful AD engagements. Prepare immediate debunking of false TASS/Russian claims regarding the Middle East crisis and Ukrainian tactical setbacks. Proactively link the escalating Middle East crisis to Russian destabilization efforts and expose Russian amplification and manipulation, especially the immediate and rapid amplification of attempts to draw the US into the conflict.

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6. INTELLIGENCE GAPS & COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS

• GAP 1: VERIFICATION OF "THE TELEGRAPH" REPORT ON US AID CESSATION (CRITICAL, IMMEDIATE, HYPER-PRIORITY, RETAINED): Independent, all-source verification of the "The Telegraph" report amplified by Russian sources regarding the cessation of US military aid to Ukraine. Assess the type, quantity, and operational impact of any such claims on Ukrainian defense capabilities.
  • COLLECTION REQUIREMENT (CR): Prioritize SIGINT, OSINT (direct source review of "The Telegraph" article for context, content, and accuracy), IMINT, and HUMINT from US, NATO, and Ukrainian sources to confirm or refute these reports. (PRIORITY: EXTREME).
• GAP 2: VERIFICATION OF ISRAELI IMPACTS & RUSSIAN CLAIMS ON US INVOLVEMENT (CRITICAL, IMMEDIATE, UPDATED FOCUS): Independent, all-source verification of all specific impact claims in Israel and the reconciliation of conflicting casualty figures. Critically, assess the veracity of claims that Israel is attempting to convince the US to join military operations against Iran.
  • CR: Prioritize OSINT (cross-referencing with Israeli official reports, international news agencies, US official statements), IMINT (satellite imagery post-strike), and HUMINT from Israeli and US sources. (PRIORITY: EXTREME).
• GAP 3: VERIFICATION OF UKRAINIAN LOSSES & DEFENSIVE COLLAPSE ON LPR FRONTLINES (HIGH, UPDATED): Independent, all-source verification of Andrei Marochko's claim that Ukrainian defense lines are collapsing and assaults have decreased.
  • CR: Prioritize HUMINT from Ukrainian units in the area, OSINT (local reports, social media), and IMINT (if available). (PRIORITY: HIGH).
• GAP 4: RUSSIAN INTENT & FORCE DISPOSITION ON NORTHERN AXIS (CRITICAL, RETAINED): Verification of reports of Russian troop movements to Belarus.
  • CR: Prioritize IMINT, SIGINT, and HUMINT on Russian force composition, logistics build-up, and intent on the Belarus border. (PRIORITY: EXTREME).
• GAP 5: UKRAINIAN BATTLE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT (BDA) FROM RECENT DEEP STRIKES (CRITICAL, ONGOING): Full extent of damage and operational impact from recent Russian deep strikes on Ukrainian C2 and ammunition depots (e.g., "Lugansk" OTG KP, 36th Marine Bde KP, 142nd Mech Bde ammo depot), and the Zaporizhzhia industrial site.
  • CR: Prioritize HUMINT from affected units, OSINT (local reports, social media analysis), and IMINT (satellite imagery analysis if available) to determine operational impact and identify vulnerabilities. (PRIORITY: EXTREME).
• GAP 6: RUSSIAN ROLE IN ISRAEL-IRAN ESCALATION (CRITICAL, RETAINED): Assess the extent of direct or indirect Russian involvement in instigating or facilitating the recent missile launches from Iran towards Israel, beyond mere amplification and narrative manipulation. Is Russia providing intelligence, materiel, or political cover?
  • CR: Prioritize SIGINT, HUMINT, and OSINT on Russia-Iran communications and coordination, and US military movements in the region. (PRIORITY: EXTREME).

7. ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS

• Intelligence & Special Operations (ISR, HUMINT, OSINT critical):

  1. CRITICAL PRIORITY: IMMEDIATE VERIFICATION OF "THE TELEGRAPH" AID CESSATION CLAIM. All-source intelligence must rapidly confirm or refute the Russian-amplified report on US military aid cessation. This remains the single most critical collection requirement for the next 6-12 hours, as it directly impacts morale and international support. (Supports CR 1).
  2. CRITICAL PRIORITY: IMMEDIATE VERIFICATION OF CLAIMS REGARDING US INVOLVEMENT IN MIDDLE EAST. Rapidly confirm or deny claims that Israel is attempting to convince the US to join military operations against Iran. Expose any exaggeration or fabrication by Russian sources. This is a highly inflammatory disinformation narrative that needs immediate debunking if false, and Russia's manipulative role needs to be exposed. (Supports CR 2, CR 6).
  3. IMMEDIATE: VERIFY UKRAINIAN DEFENSIVE STATUS ON LPR FRONTLINES. Confirm or refute the claim of collapsing defense lines and reduced assault tempo. If true, assess the cause and implications. If false, prepare a strong counter-narrative. (Supports CR 3).
  4. CRITICAL PRIORITY: INTENSIFY ISR ON POKROVSK, KHARKIV-KUPYANSK, SUMY, DNIPROPETROVSK AXES, AND NORTHERN BORDER WITH BELARUS. Maintain continuous monitoring for any signs of Russian force buildup or offensive preparations. (Supports CR 4).
  5. URGENT: ASSESS BDA OF RECENT C2/LOGISTICS/INDUSTRIAL STRIKES. GUR/SBU to conduct immediate, granular battle damage assessment (BDA) for the "Lugansk" OTG KP, 36th Marine Bde KP, 142nd Mech Bde ammo depot, and the Zaporizhzhia industrial site strikes. Identify systemic vulnerabilities and develop immediate counter-measures. (Supports CR 5).
  6. IMMEDIATE: MONITOR AND EXPLOIT RUSSIAN IO NARRATIVES (ESPECIALLY ON WESTERN AID CESSATION, MIDDLE EAST "US INVOLVEMENT," AND "UKRAINIAN LOSSES"). Actively monitor for and analyze new Russian IO narratives, particularly those claiming reduced/stopped Western aid to Ukraine, exaggerating Middle East "successes" or "incidents," and speculating on US involvement. Prioritize monitoring and countering the narrative that Israel is dragging the US into war. (Supports CR 1, 2, 6).
  7. CONTINUOUS COUNTER-SABOTAGE INTELLIGENCE & INTERNAL SECURITY MONITORING.

• Air Defense & Force Protection:

  1. MAINTAIN HIGHEST AIR DEFENSE READINESS ACROSS ALL OBLASTS, WITH EMPHASIS ON EASTERN AIR THREAT AND INDUSTRIAL TARGETS. Anticipate Russia may increase the intensity or breadth of aerial attacks (UAVs, ballistic missiles, KABs, tactical aviation) to capitalize on global distraction and the IO narrative of Western aid cessation. Ensure layered AD coverage for critical infrastructure and population centers, particularly industrial sites.
  2. ADAPT TO WIDER GEOGRAPHIC DRONE/MISSILE THREAT & COUNTER DEEP STRIKES. Implement and refine TTPs to counter widespread, multi-axis attacks. Prioritize resources for defending critical C2 nodes, ammunition depots, and industrial facilities against confirmed Russian deep strikes.

• Ground Forces:

  1. MAINTAIN DISCIPLINED DEFENSIVE POSTURE IN POKROVSK, KHARKIV-KUPYANSK, SUMY, DNIPROPETROVSK, AND NORTHERN BORDER DIRECTIONS. Prioritize strong defensive lines.
  2. REVIEW AND REHEARSE CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS (COOP) PLANS. Due to recent successful deep strikes on C2 nodes, all units must immediately review and rehearse COOP plans, ensuring redundant communication pathways and alternate command posts are ready.
  3. ASSESS SITUATION ON LPR FRONTLINES. If defensive collapse is confirmed, reassess defensive needs and troop rotations in that sector.

• Information Operations (IO):

  1. IMMEDIATE & AGGRESSIVE: COUNTER RUSSIAN NARRATIVES ON "US AID CESSATION" & MIDDLE EAST "US INVOLVEMENT" & "UKRAINIAN LOSSES." Proactively and forcefully counter the narrative that the US is stopping aid. If false, debunk unequivocally. If there are any legitimate reallocations, frame it within the context of adaptive, ongoing support, emphasizing the sustained long-term commitment. Immediately debunk false TASS/Russian claims regarding Israel "dragging the US into war." Emphasize that Russia seeks to destabilize both regions to exhaust Western resources and attention. Address and counter Russian claims regarding LPR frontline collapse.
  2. RAPID DEBUNKING OF MISINFORMATION. Maintain rapid response to immediately debunk unverified and sensationalized claims propagated by Russian state media and milbloggers (e.g., fabricated Israeli/US actions, and rapidly escalating and unverified casualty figures).
  3. PROMOTE UKRAINIAN RESILIENCE & AD SUCCESSES: Highlight ongoing Ukrainian AD operations and any successful intercepts to reassure the public and international partners of continued defensive capabilities.
  4. HIGHLIGHT RUSSIAN ALLIANCES WITH PARIAH STATES & ROLE IN GLOBAL INSTABILITY. Emphasize that Russia directly benefits from and seeks to amplify and manipulate global instability, and is now using potentially unverified claims and narratives of US involvement to further this aim. Expose Russian attempts to draw the US into the Middle East conflict as a deliberate strategy to divert attention from Ukraine.

• Diplomatic/Inter-Agency:

  1. IMMEDIATE & PROACTIVE: ENGAGE KEY PARTNERS ON SUSTAINED SUPPORT AND COUNTERING RUSSIAN DIPLOMATIC MANIPULATION AND AID NARRATIVES. Ukrainian diplomatic missions should immediately engage with US, EU, and other key partners to address "The Telegraph" report on aid cessation. Seek clarification and a unified, strong public message of continued robust support. Emphasize that such narratives are deliberate Russian attempts to sow discord and undermine support.
  2. COORDINATE WITH ALLIES ON IO STRATEGY: Coordinate closely with allied IO agencies to ensure a unified and consistent counter-narrative to Russian disinformation, particularly regarding aid, global conflict, and the new, more extreme and manipulative narratives, including the direct attempt to draw the US into the Middle East conflict.
  3. INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION OF CIVILIAN/INDUSTRIAL TARGETING. Continue to highlight Russian strikes on civilian/industrial targets to maintain international pressure and secure further AD assistance.