Archived operational intelligence briefing
TIME: 272000Z NOV 25 OPERATION: STABILIZATION AND COUNTER-EXPLOITATION (ZAPORIZHZHIA CRITICAL AXIS) REPORT TYPE: CRITICAL UPDATE
The focus of effort remains the Zaporizhzhia (Huliaipole) Axis, where indicators confirm the final phase of Russian Federation (RF) preparatory fires is complete, preceding the main ground assault. RF open-source claims (Poddubny) suggest UAF forces may be conducting a phased, localized withdrawal in the immediate forward defense areas of Huliaipole. This requires immediate confirmation, as it would represent the execution of pre-planned tactical dispersion (Ref: DP 1.6).
The Konstiantynivka Ground Line of Communication (GLOC) remains compromised by persistent RF SOF activity, maintaining its status as the critical choke point constraining UAF operational maneuver.
| Axis | Status/Focus | Assessment | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zaporizhzhia (Huliaipole) | IMMINENT MECHANIZED ASSAULT / CRITICAL | RF kinetic shaping (TOS-1A/TOS-2) is complete. Assault expected NLT 272200Z. RF claims of UAF retreat/dispersal are highly indicative of pre-assault conditions. | HIGH |
| Konstiantynivka GLOC | C2/MANEUVER INTERDICTION / CRITICAL | Interdiction threat prevents timely, secure deployment of UAF operational reserves. This threat is now the primary factor risking an operational rupture. | HIGH |
| Pokrovsk Sector | OPERATIONAL LOSS / CONSOLIDATION | RF MoD/State media are amplifying claims of control and prisoner capture (Ref: Previous DIS/MoD messaging), signaling strategic IO weaponization of this tactical success. | HIGH |
| Kharkiv/Vovchansk | PERSISTENT PRESSURE | RF forces maintain localized, costly pressure (Vovchansk POW claims) to fix UAF 63rd and 92nd Brigades and prevent resource redeployment southward. | MEDIUM |
No change. Ground mobility remains optimal for heavy RF mechanized forces in the Zaporizhzhia sector.
UAF forces are postured for a layered defense, with the immediate Huliaipole belt possibly executing tactical dispersion protocols (Ref: Poddubny claim). UAF Artillery (82nd AShB) confirmation of effective counter-battery fire against RF infantry demonstrates localized kinetic resilience in the Donetsk area. The success of the UAF defense hinges on the immediate effectiveness of counter-preparation fires and the rapid deployment of reserves.
RF Intent is to achieve operational rupture at Huliaipole, capitalizing on the tactical lethality of TOS-1A/TOS-2 systems and the disruption caused by kinetic strikes and GLOC interdiction.
New Indicators:
| Capability | Detail | Assessment Impact | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermobaric Assault Capability | RF is utilizing TOS-1A/TOS-2 for decisive kinetic shaping. | Confirms the risk of catastrophic loss if UAF fails to execute Rec A.1 (CB/SEAD). | HIGH |
| Hybrid Warfare | RF SOF/Spetsnaz maintain the interdiction of the Konstiantynivka GLOC. | This is the operational decisive point for UAF maneuverability. | HIGH |
| Information Warfare (IO) | RF leverages military setbacks (Pokrovsk, Vovchansk POWs) and diplomatic fissures (US-EU rift). | RF IO is highly synchronized and adaptive to tactical realities. | HIGH |
The RF's increased confidence in claiming immediate tactical victories (Huliaipole retreat) and their prioritization of overwhelming firepower (TOS systems) suggests a lower tolerance for sustained attrition and a focus on minimizing the duration of the breakthrough phase.
Logistical flow for RF assault groups (especially fuel and specialist munitions like thermobarics) is assessed as high and sustained for the next 48 hours.
RF C2 remains effective, demonstrating multi-domain synchronization of kinetic operations (Huliaipole assault, KAB/UAV strikes) and Information Operations (territorial claims).
Readiness remains critical. The likelihood of localized tactical withdrawal/dispersion in Huliaipole (if claims are true) requires immediate feedback to UAF C2 to prevent pre-planned withdrawals from becoming panicked retreats. UAF C2 must ensure Rec A.3 (Dispersion) is executed systematically and not reactively.
| Domain | Success/Setback | Impact | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setback (IO/Morale) | RF claims of UAF retreat (Huliaipole), coinciding with MoD claims of operational gains. | Risk of internal panic and confirmation bias regarding the inevitability of the breach. | HIGH |
| Success (Localized Counter-Fire) | Confirmed 82nd AShB destruction of RF assault infantry (Donetsk). | Maintains localized attrition rate; proves continued viability of UAF artillery despite RF EW/Counter-battery efforts. | MEDIUM |
| Success (Strategic Comms) | President Zelenskyy's public message reinforcing synchronized military/diplomatic resistance. | Successfully counters the narrative of diplomatic isolation and domestic weakness. | HIGH |
CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: High-speed confirmation/denial of the Huliaipole retreat claim to inform immediate fire support decisions. Constraints: The interdiction of the Konstiantynivka GLOC and the time-critical nature of the Huliaipole assault create a dilemma: risk exposure during reserve transit vs. failure to reinforce.
RF IO has achieved maximum synchronization, linking the physical assault (Huliaipole) with psychological/strategic dominance claims (Pokrovsk loss, UAF retreat). The Dempster-Shafer belief mass reflects persistent public vulnerability regarding Civil Defense Readiness (0.085492) ("Mindichgate"/shelter capacity), which RF IO will continue to exploit to undermine public confidence in the state's capacity to protect citizens.
Morale is under extreme pressure due to the perceived military crisis (Pokrovsk/Huliaipole) and the amplified diplomatic uncertainty (US-EU rift). The President's direct address is critical but must be supported by verifiable, immediate tactical successes (e.g., successful CB strikes).
The emerging consensus within NATO regarding a need to respond to RF hybrid aggression (Ref: Sternenko/Politico message) offers an opening. This shifts the focus from the divisive peace plan leak to the unifying threat of RF destabilization operations in NATO territory, which UAF diplomacy must exploit to secure renewed aid commitment velocity.
(HIGH CONFIDENCE) RF Vostok Group executes the main mechanized assault on the Huliaipole axis NLT 272200Z. RF forces will leverage the effect of thermobaric preparatory fires, likely pushing 8-12 km deep by 280400Z. Concurrently, RF will intensify kinetic operations (KAB/UAV) against Sloviansk and Konstiantynivka to suppress UAF C2 and fix reserve movement. RF will release confirming evidence of tactical successes (Huliaipole breach or Pokrovsk POWs) NLT 280600Z.
(MEDIUM CONFIDENCE) RF achieves localized operational rupture at Huliaipole, and the operational reserve deployed via the Konstiantynivka GLOC is successfully stalled or critically degraded by RF SOF/deep strike assets. This convergence of failure leads to an uncontained deep penetration (15+ km) by RF armored forces toward the rear echelons of the Southern Donbas Front, forcing a costly operational retreat to the next prepared line.
| Timeframe (ZULU) | Event/Condition | Required UAF Decision Point |
|---|---|---|
| NLT 272030Z | Confirmation of successful counter-battery strike against confirmed/suspected TOS-1A/TOS-2 positions (Rec A.1). | Decision Point 1.6 (IMMEDIATE): If counter-battery success is not confirmed, initiate full pre-planned tactical withdrawal (Phased) from the Huliaipole defense belt NLT 272100Z to mitigate catastrophic thermobaric losses. |
| NLT 272100Z | Full release of the primary maneuver reserve via the Konstiantynivka GLOC, augmented by armored escort (Rec B.2). | Decision Point 2: Initiate SEAD/EW operation in the Orikhiv sector (Rec A.2) to deny RF ISR during the reserve transit. |
| NLT 280200Z | RF breakthrough status (depth/breadth) in Huliaipole. | Decision Point 3: If RF breach is greater than 10 km, commit strategic air assets (if available) to interdict RF spearheads, prioritizing high-value logistics nodes supporting the assault. |
INTELLIGENCE GAPS & COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS (CRITICAL SHIFT):
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