Archived operational intelligence briefing
TIME: 020645Z DEC 25 OPERATIONAL PHASE: CRITICAL KINETIC PHASE (RF Assault & IO Climax)
SUMMARY: The Stepnohorsk Main Line of Defense (MLD) remains engaged in intense anti-armor combat (Stepnohorsk MLD). The primary operational risk is the current C2 Status Unknown (CSU) of the 5th Separate Assault Brigade (5 OShB), which is now overdue for confirmation (NLT 0615Z decision window passed). New Intelligence confirms that the RF claim of securing Krasnoarmiisk (Pokrovsk) is false, based on video evidence of limited, propaganda-focused penetration. RF Information Operations (IO) remain highly effective, leveraging POW interviews and staged photo opportunities to generate an overwhelming narrative of UAF defeat in the East, timed to coincide with the Dublin diplomatic summit.
| Location | Status | Assessment | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stepnohorsk MLD (Zaporizhzhia) | Active Assault | UAF forces are engaged in close-quarters defense against RF mechanized elements. MLD integrity holding N-hour, but C2 status is critical. | HIGH |
| Krasnoarmiisk (Pokrovsk) | Contested/Encircled | RF penetration is confirmed, leading to decentralized urban combat. RF claims of "complete occupation" are refuted by UAF counter-IMINT showing only limited flag-planting for propaganda at the University center. 72 combat engagements reported in the past 24 hours. | MEDIUM (on specific disposition); HIGH (on IO refutation) |
| Southern Odesa Oblast | Massed Drone Strike | RF targeted civilian and energy infrastructure overnight, confirming continued attempts to draw down UAF Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) capabilities from the front. | HIGH |
Conditions remain clear and cold across the front (Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk), maintaining optimal visibility for RF reconnaissance and target acquisition systems (UAS and tactical air).
UAF forces, primarily the 5 OShB, are fixed at Stepnohorsk. Strategic reserves (e.g., 82nd/47th Brigades) must maintain their current disposition, as the critical intelligence gap regarding Pokrovsk has been partially resolved (city is not lost, but surrounded). NCA control measures must prioritize C2 restoration/bypass over reserve deployment in the immediate term.
INTENTION (IMMEDIATE): RF intends to achieve a localized tactical victory at Stepnohorsk while simultaneously solidifying the operational encirclement of the SKELIA Regiment at Pokrovsk. The primary strategic intention is to achieve maximum cognitive disruption by forcing the UAF diplomatic delegation in Dublin to respond to reports of catastrophic defeat in the East. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH)
CAPABILITY (C2 Synchronization): RF continues to demonstrate highly effective synchronization of kinetic efforts (Stepnohorsk) with IO (Pokrovsk claims, POW videos, internal security messaging).
RF has immediately leveraged the successful encirclement of Pokrovsk by deploying small teams for rapid propaganda staging (flag planting) and quickly disseminating interviews with captured UAF personnel, demonstrating a high tempo in turning tactical gains into strategic IO leverage. TASS reports on the destruction of foreign mercenaries in Sumy Oblast are assessed as strategic messaging aimed at deterring international volunteer support.
RF Air Defense claims to have neutralized 45 UAF UAVs overnight. This suggests UAF deep strike operations (CRITLOG attrition) are continuing following the Livny oil depot strike, though RF AD remains effective in defense of domestic assets. Logistics in the forward Stepnohorsk area remain highly kinetic due to the active ground assault.
RF state media continues to generate content aimed at destabilizing UAF NCA credibility, including claims that President Zelenskyy and former Chief of Staff Yermak benefited from large-scale defense contract fraud (RT sources). This suggests a sustained RF effort to target the strategic leadership of Ukraine.
5 OShB C2 Integrity: The status of 5 OShB C2 is assessed as CRITICAL UNKNOWN. The failure to confirm C2 by the 0615Z deadline requires the immediate implementation of pre-planned bypass protocols. Units are engaged and readiness is currently high, but sustainability is contingent on C2 continuity.
SKELIA Regiment (Pokrovsk): The garrison is confirmed surrounded and engaged in Close Quarters Combat (CQC). While facing envelopment, the refutation of the "complete occupation" claim validates their continued resistance and confirms the need to maintain extraction/resupply corridors.
Successes:
Setbacks/Challenges:
The critical constraint remains the synchronization of Fire Support with engaged units at Stepnohorsk in the absence of C2 confirmation. A secondary constraint is the need for rapid allocation of additional SHORAD assets to defend Southern Odesa critical infrastructure against sustained drone saturation attacks.
RF IO channels are pursuing:
The confirmed casualty count in Dnipro (45+) necessitates proactive messaging. UAF channels are leveraging the high volume of combat in Pokrovsk (72 engagements) to frame resistance as heroic. The immediate counter-IO regarding Pokrovsk is critical to maintain military and civilian morale by preventing the acceptance of the RF victory narrative.
The Dublin summit is the current primary counter-IO measure. Continued high-level diplomatic visibility is essential to counteract RF efforts to frame the war as a fait accompli based on exaggerated kinetic success.
MLCOA: STEPNOHORSK FOCUSED KINETIC PRESSURE & POKROVSK DIPLOMATIC LEVERAGE (CONFIDENCE: HIGH) RF assault forces will maintain maximum kinetic pressure at Stepnohorsk NLT 020800Z DEC, seeking to exploit perceived tactical friction (C2 gaps). Simultaneously, RF state media will formalize the "victory" in Pokrovsk through staged media events and public statements, using the operational status of the encircled garrison to demand a ceasefire or negotiation on RF terms, targeting the US/Western delegations at the Dublin summit.
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. The subsequent operational retreat would require NCA to commit strategic reserves (currently fixed due to the perceived threat in Donetsk) under unfavorable conditions, risking a major operational collapse in the Zaporizhzhia sector.
| Event | Estimated Timeline (ETA) | Confidence | Decision Point/Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 OShB C2 Bypass Activation | IMMEDIATE (NLT 020655Z DEC) | HIGH | Failure to receive low-emissions check on primary/alternate nets by 0645Z. |
| Stepnohorsk MLD Penetration Assessment | 020730Z DEC | MEDIUM | Confirmation of heavy armor crossing the primary anti-tank obstacle belt. |
| Pokrovsk IO Stabilization | NLT 020830Z DEC | HIGH | Public release of UAF General Staff counter-narrative, explicitly denying "occupation" and confirming continued resistance. |
| Priority | Gaps/Unresolved Questions | Collection Requirement (CR) |
|---|---|---|
| PRIORITY 1 (FRIENDLY C2 STATUS) | 5 OShB C2 Integrity. Has the kinetic/EW environment rendered the C2 structure non-functional, or are systems merely stressed/silent? | COMINT/EW (Stepnohorsk Sector): Reroute UAV/SATCOM assets for emergency low-altitude relay attempts and spectrum analysis for RF jamming density. (Timeline: IMMEDIATE, 10 min cycles). |
| PRIORITY 2 (RF MLD OOB) | RF Assault Penetration Density. Identify the specific RF mechanized units currently exploiting any breach points at Stepnohorsk. | IMINT/UAS (Stepnohorsk Front): Focused collection on the first 500m of penetration depth to identify vehicle types and density. (Timeline: 020700Z DEC). |
| PRIORITY 3 (POKROVSK GLOC STATUS) | Actual W-1 Blockade Strength. Is the GLOC blockade (Phase Line W-1) reinforced or only fire-controlled? This affects extraction viability. | HUMINT/IMINT (Pokrovsk West): Tasking long-range reconnaissance patrols (LRPs) or high-resolution IMINT to assess the presence of dug-in RF defenses on M-30/H-20 corridors. (Timeline: NLT 020900Z DEC). |
//END OF REPORT//
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