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Historical Intelligence

Situation Report

Archived operational intelligence briefing

Report Time
2025-12-01 11:34:29Z
2 months ago
Previous (2025-12-01 11:04:32Z)

OPERATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SITUATION REPORT (OPEINTREP)

DTG: 011134Z DEC 25 SUBJECT: Multi-Domain Crisis Synchronization: Pokrovsk Kinetic Breach and Strategic IO Escalation PERIOD COVERED: 302000Z NOV 25 – 011134Z DEC 25 ANALYST CONFIDENCE: MEDIUM-HIGH (Unless otherwise specified)


1. SITUATION OVERVIEW (Current Operational Picture)

1.1 Battlefield Geometry and Key Terrain

The operational center of gravity remains the Pokrovsk Axis (formerly Krasnoarmeysky), where RF forces (notably elements of the 155th Naval Infantry Brigade, 'Tsentr' Grouping) are engaged in Close Quarters Combat (CQC) following infiltration of the urban periphery. The primary Ground Line of Communication (GLOC) feeding Pokrovsk is under immediate kinetic threat.

Secondary theaters show persistent RF shaping operations:

  • Southern Axis (Stepnohorsk): Identified RF tactical aviation surge and established anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities remain unaddressed, posing a significant breakthrough risk.
  • Deep Strike: RF continues precision strikes against rear areas (e.g., Blyznyukivska community drone attack, Dnipro Airstrike aftermath).

1.2 Weather and Environmental Factors

General conditions support continuous tactical operations. New data confirms RF employment of heavy thermal systems (TOS-1A) and specialized nighttime video content (Старше Эдды), indicating ongoing high-intensity operations across the 24-hour cycle.

1.3 Current Force Dispositions and Control Measures

RF forces are leveraging forward-deployed maintenance facilities (BARS-22 mobile workshop observed) near the Pokrovsk axis, suggesting a high commitment to maintaining operational tempo and minimizing equipment downtime. UAF defenses, specifically the SKELIA Regiment (425th), are critically reliant on drone-based CQC and require immediate heavy fire stabilization.


2. ENEMY ANALYSIS (Threat Assessment)

2.1 Enemy Capabilities, Intentions, and Courses of Action

DomainFinding/CapabilityIntentionsConfidence
Kinetic/GroundRF deployed TOS-1A Heavy Flamethrower Systems ("TOS – серьёзный аргумент") in the Krasnoarmeysky direction.Area saturation and rapid clearance of urban defensive positions to accelerate the seizure of Pokrovsk.HIGH
Kinetic/Air & UAVPersistent deep strike capability confirmed (Blyznyukivska, Dnipro). RF forward units display sophisticated, integrated drone/electronics maintenance.Degrading UAF logistics and C2 in rear areas; ensuring localized UAV dominance for forward reconnaissance and FPV strikes.HIGH
Logistics/SustainmentRF long-term resource commitment confirmed by Putin signing 2026 budget with record war expenditure. Forward maintenance capability is robust.Sustaining high-tempo offensive operations through 2026, regardless of short-term logistics disruption (e.g., Alabuga strike).HIGH
Information Warfare (IO)High-volume deployment of narratives targeting UAF domestic stability (mobilization avoidance, alleged diplomatic capitulation, use of dipfakes to incite panic) and Western solidarity (NATO/US decline).Inducing strategic paralysis within NCA and creating friction between UAF and international partners.HIGH

2.2 Recent Tactical Changes or Adaptations

The confirmed use of TOS-1A systems marks an escalation of fire support on the Pokrovsk axis, moving beyond standard artillery saturation toward focused thermal destruction to dislodge entrenched UAF infantry. This increases the operational threat level for the SKELIA Regiment.

2.3 Command and Control Effectiveness

RF C2 remains highly effective in synchronizing kinetic action (Pokrovsk breach, TOS deployment) with strategic IO objectives (Umerov crisis, anti-NATO rhetoric). This synergy maximizes the psychological impact of tactical success.


3. FRIENDLY FORCES (Blue Force Tracking)

3.1 Ukrainian Force Posture and Readiness

UAF forces are under critical kinetic pressure in Pokrovsk. While official reporting highlights successful countermeasures (9707 aerial targets destroyed in November 2025), RF air and missile strikes continue to penetrate AD layers (Dnipro, Blyznyukivska). The successful testing of UGV TTPs and "Sting" interceptor drones provides localized technological advantages that must be rapidly disseminated.

3.2 Recent Tactical Successes or Setbacks

  • SETBACK: RF urban infiltration of Pokrovsk is the most significant tactical failure in the period. The subsequent RF deployment of TOS-1A suggests UAF fire support failure (R-1 Mission status remains critical gap).
  • SUCCESS: Continued validation of UAF technological adaptation (UGV TTPs, "Sting" interceptor) offers necessary counter-capabilities against RF drone and MT-LB deployment.

3.3 Resource Requirements and Constraints

The constraint imposed by the Sumy ammunition depot loss persists (48-72 hour window). A significant domestic concern is the reported spike in mobilization avoidance (25+ student enrollment), which directly impacts long-term readiness and manpower rotation strategies.


4. INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT (Cognitive Domain)

4.1 Propaganda and Disinformation Campaigns

RF efforts are concentrated on three key axes:

  1. Diplomatic Fissures: Amplification of NATO/US tensions (Zakharova on pre-emptive strikes; reports on US troop withdrawal anxiety in Europe).
  2. Domestic Collapse: Using figures on mobilization avoidance and sensational dipfakes (Zhoga/water poisoning) to undermine societal cohesion and faith in command structure.
  3. Validation of Victory: RF military channels are heavily publicizing the Pokrovsk advance and the destruction caused by TOS systems ("Krasnoarmeysky direction").

4.2 Public Sentiment and Morale Factors

Public discourse reflects a simultaneous commitment to resilience (Dnipro OMA reports) and underlying anxiety regarding sustainability (mobilization avoidance statistics). The NCA must proactively address both the Pokrovsk crisis and the diplomatic narrative to maintain morale.

4.3 International Support and Diplomatic Developments

Diplomatic context is precarious. While international material support persists, IO campaigns are successfully creating the perception of allied wavering (EU concern over US footprint; targeted disinformation against Finnish alignment).


5. PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS (Future Operations)

5.1 Most Likely Enemy Courses of Action (MLCOA)

RF MLCOA: Pokrovsk Seizure and IO Consolidation (HIGH CONFIDENCE) RF will leverage the effectiveness of the TOS-1A fire missions and forward maintenance to rapidly clear entrenched UAF positions in Pokrovsk. The GLOC will be interdicted and physically severed NLT 020000Z DEC 25. Simultaneously, RF IO will maximize the narrative of UAF collapse and capitulation to influence ongoing US diplomatic discussions, forcing the UAF NCA into an immediate, reactive decision on strategic reserves.

5.2 Most Dangerous Enemy Courses of Action (MDCOA)

RF MDCOA: Southern Breakthrough Synchronization (MEDIUM CONFIDENCE) RF launches a concerted, mechanized ground assault in the Stepnohorsk sector (Southern Axis), utilizing the established AD/Air umbrella and the tactical aviation surge to achieve deep penetration. This move, synchronized with the final collapse of Pokrovsk, aims to exploit the short-term UAF high-caliber ammunition shortage (Sumy loss) and the strategic paralysis caused by the diplomatic crisis. Success would threaten the regional command hub and force the commitment of the sole remaining operational reserve.

5.3 Timeline Estimates and Decision Points

EventEstimated DTGCriticalityDecision Point
Pokrovsk GLOC SeveranceNLT 011600Z DEC 25CRITICALImmediate deployment of mechanized counter-penetration force, regardless of diplomatic pressure.
Sumy Depot Ammunition Constraint PeakNLT 021200Z DEC 25HIGHAlternative sourcing and distribution plan for high-caliber rounds must be activated NLT 012000Z DEC 25.
Stepnohorsk Assault Window011800Z - 020600Z DEC 25HIGHPre-positioning of specialized counter-drone/UGV units ("Sting" and 5 OShB TTPs) to Stepnohorsk NLT 011500Z DEC 25.

6. INTELLIGENCE GAPS AND COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS

PriorityGap/RequirementDomainActionable Requirement (Target/Frequency)
PRIORITY 1R-1 Fire Mission Confirmation StatusKineticConfirmation (IMMEDIATE) from J3/Artillery Command: Was the planned fire mission executed? If not, what is the modified current fire plan for Pokrovsk CAS?
PRIORITY 2RF TOS-1A Deployment TonnageSIGINT/IMINTTarget BARS-22 forward maintenance nodes and confirmed TOS-1A positions (Krasnoarmeysky). Determine total number of thermobaric launchers deployed to assess maximum saturation capability.
PRIORITY 3RF C2 Frequencies (Southern Axis)SIGINT/EWIdentify C2 frequencies for the surged RF tactical aviation in the Stepnohorsk sector to maximize "Sting" interceptor effectiveness and EW jamming against potential MDCOA launch.
PRIORITY 4Impact of Mobility AvoidanceHUMINT/OSINTDetailed J-1 assessment on the capacity shortfall caused by the 25+ student mobilization avoidance trend, and its impact on unit rotation viability.

7. ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS

7.1 OPERATIONAL COMMAND (J3)

  1. Pokrovsk Fire Response (IMMEDIATE): Assume R-1 mission failure or severe delay. Redirect all available high-caliber fire support (including NATO-standard systems) to provide Close Air Support (CAS) / Close Fire Support (CFS) for the SKELIA Regiment in Pokrovsk. Prioritize neutralizing confirmed TOS-1A launch positions. Risk assessment should favor preventing GLOC severance over collateral minimization.
  2. Technological Transfer (URGENT): Immediately disseminate the 5 OShB UGV anti-vehicle TTPs and deploy validated "Sting" interceptor drone teams to the Southern Axis (Stepnohorsk) to proactively counter the anticipated combined arms (Air/UAV/Ground) MDCOA push.

7.2 LOGISTICS & SUSTAINMENT (J4)

  1. Ammunition Re-Sourcing (CRITICAL): Activate the pre-planned alternative sourcing and distribution circuit (Plan B) to mitigate the 48-72 hour shortage caused by the Sumy loss. Prioritize high-demand 155mm and 152mm rounds for the Pokrovsk sector.

7.3 STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS & NCA (J5/NCA)

  1. Narrative Counter-Punch (IMMEDIATE): The NCA must issue a unified, high-profile strategic communication package NLT 011400Z DEC 25 that simultaneously:
    • Explicitly refutes the "surrender/capitulation" narrative regarding the Umerov incident.
    • Highlights the strategic success of the Alabuga strike.
    • Elevates the heroism and resilience of the SKELIA Regiment defense in Pokrovsk.
    • Addresses domestic manpower concerns by announcing firm but transparent recruitment plans.
  2. Diplomatic Stabilisation (URGENT): Engage key EU partners (especially those raising concerns about US commitment) to stabilize perception. Use intelligence demonstrating RF IO manipulation against Finnish and German narratives to reinforce the need for solidarity.
Previous (2025-12-01 11:04:32Z)

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