Archived operational intelligence briefing
TIME: 020604Z DEC 25 OPERATIONAL PHASE: CRITICAL KINETIC PHASE (RF Ground Assault Initiation)
SUMMARY: The operational situation is defined by the immediate initiation of the expected Russian Federation (RF) ground assault at the Stepnohorsk Main Line of Defense (MLD) (Zaporizhzhia Axis). This kinetic climax is being synchronized with a high-stakes Information Operation (IO) following RF claims of securing Krasnoarmiisk (Pokrovsk) and Vovchansk. UAF National Command Authority (NCA) has successfully activated the Dublin diplomatic track (President Zelenskyy arrival) as a counter to RF diplomatic warfare. The status of the 5th Separate Assault Brigade (5 OShB) Command and Control (C2) remains the single most critical tactical uncertainty.
Stepnohorsk MLD (Zaporizhzhia Axis): The anticipated ground assault has begun within the 0600Z window. Forward UAF observers report initial RF armor contact and high-volume direct fire. The MLD integrity is currently under severe test. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH)
Krasnoarmiisk/Vovchansk: RF Ministry of Defense (MoD) proxy channels claim the "complete occupation" of both Krasnoarmiisk (Pokrovsk) and Vovchansk. If true, the RF has secured major strategic political objectives in Donetsk and Kharkiv axes. This claim must be treated as a primary IO threat and requires immediate tactical verification. (CONFIDENCE: LOW on factual claim; HIGH on IO significance)
Dnipro Rear Area: Official reports confirm an increased civilian casualty toll (4 KIA, 45 WIA) from the previous 24 hours of RF missile strikes. This confirms the enemy's intention to maintain pressure on critical population centers to drain UAF Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) from the front.
Clear, cold conditions persist. Visibility remains high, favoring RF Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and target acquisition for ground assault elements.
UAF forces are confirmed engaged in anti-armor and counter-mobility operations at Stepnohorsk. Reserve forces (e.g., those fixed due to the Pokrovsk situation) must maintain current hold lines pending confirmation of the Krasnoarmiisk claim.
INTENTION (IMMEDIATE): Achieve a localized tactical breakthrough at Stepnohorsk NLT 0700Z to demonstrate operational momentum while simultaneously utilizing alleged kinetic victories (Krasnoarmiisk/Vovchansk) for strategic diplomatic leverage. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH)
CAPABILITY (IO/C2 Synchronization): RF demonstrates effective synchronization, framing potential localized advances (Stepnohorsk) within a narrative of sweeping operational success (Krasnoarmiisk/Vovchansk claims) to apply cognitive pressure on the UAF NCA during the Dublin summit.
RF has executed a decisive shift of IO focus to the Donetsk and Kharkiv sectors via the alleged capture claims, drawing attention away from the Stepnohorsk MLD, which is currently the locus of kinetic activity.
The UAF deep strike on the Livny oil depot (Oryol Oblast) is now confirmed by open-source video evidence, validating the disruption to RF domestic fuel logistics. This strategic attrition effort continues despite intensive RF frontline kinetic operations. (D-S Belief: Military Action: Drone Strike on Fuel and Energy Complex in Oryol Oblast) (CONFIDENCE: HIGH)
RF strategic C2 remains robust, demonstrated by President Putin receiving visible updates from regional leadership (Kursk Oblast Governor). This contrasts with the assumed degraded C2 conditions that UAF forces are operating under at Stepnohorsk.
The 5 OShB is currently executing the defense plan under maximum kinetic stress. The primary risk remains the loss of C2 integrity, which would severely degrade coordinated counter-mobility operations. Readiness remains high among forward units, but requires immediate reinforcement validation.
Successes:
Setbacks/Challenges:
CRITICAL CONSTRAINT: C2 Status and Reserve Mobilization Authority. The NCA must be prepared to issue rapid (30-minute window) authorization for strategic reserves based on the confirmed status of the Stepnohorsk defense and the verifiable facts regarding the Krasnoarmiisk claim.
RF IO channels (Дневник Десантника, Операция Z) are aggressively pursuing a two-pronged narrative:
National morale requires immediate triage following the Dnipro casualty report. The confirmed operational success (Livny strike) and high-level diplomatic visibility (Dublin visit) must be amplified within the next 60 minutes to prevent the RF victory narratives from taking root. (D-S Belief: Psychological Impact: Morale Decline for Civilian Population, 0.019865)
The arrival of President Zelenskyy in Dublin is a critical counter-IO measure, demonstrating active diplomatic engagement and continued Western support, directly contrasting with the RF narrative of European isolation and UAF vulnerability.
MLCOA: INTENSIVE STEPNOHORSK BREACH ATTEMPT & IO MAXIMIZATION (CONFIDENCE: HIGH) RF assault elements (Armor/Mechanized Infantry) will sustain the breach attempt at Stepnohorsk until NLT 020800Z DEC. Simultaneously, RF state media will formalize the Krasnoarmiisk/Vovchansk claims to dominate the information space during the Dublin meeting, forcing UAF diplomatic representatives to address battlefield losses rather than strategic cooperation.
MDCOA: C2 COLLAPSE AND OPERATIONAL EXPLOITATION (Risk Level: CRITICAL/IMMINENT) Successful RF penetration of the Stepnohorsk MLD, synchronized with confirmed C2 failure of the 5 OShB due to pervasive EW/counter-C2 kinetic action. This would necessitate an uncoordinated, costly UAF counter-attack and potential operational retreat in the Zaporizhzhia sector.
| Event | Estimated Timeline (ETA) | Confidence | Decision Point/Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stepnohorsk Breach/Stalemate Status | 020645Z DEC | HIGH | Assessment of RF penetration depth (e.g., successful crossing of anti-tank ditch/minefields) based on real-time ISR. |
| 5 OShB C2 Status Confirmation | NLT 020615Z DEC | HIGH | Successful "Low-Sig" confirmation check on primary and alternate frequencies. |
| Verification of Krasnoarmiisk Claim | NLT 020730Z DEC | MEDIUM | Receipt of HUMINT/IMINT confirming or denying SKELIA Regiment defense posture or withdrawal status. |
| Priority | Gaps/Unresolved Questions | Collection Requirement (CR) |
|---|---|---|
| PRIORITY 1 (FRIENDLY C2 STATUS) | 5 OShB C2 Integrity. Confirming C2 survivability during the active ground assault, particularly under heavy EW/kinetic pressure. | COMINT/EW (Stepnohorsk Sector): Continuous monitoring of low-emissions command nets and spectral analysis for unusual RF EW activity signatures. (Timeline: IMMEDIATE, continuous). |
| PRIORITY 2 (RF IO VERIFICATION) | Krasnoarmiisk/Vovchansk Status. Are RF claims true, or is this a massive IO deception designed to fix reserves? | IMINT/HUMINT (Pokrovsk/Vovchansk): Tasking assets to verify the presence of UAF forward observation posts and confirmed RF troop density within the claimed areas. (Timeline: NLT 020730Z DEC). |
| PRIORITY 3 (RF MLD OOB) | RF Assault Unit Identification. Identify the specific RF mechanized units leading the Stepnohorsk assault (e.g., VDV vs. Motor Rifle) to anticipate follow-on TTPs and reserve requirements. | IMINT/SIGINT (Stepnohorsk Front): Focused collection on unit markings, call signs, and communication protocols of the lead armored echelons. (Timeline: 020700Z DEC). |
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