Archived operational intelligence briefing
TIME: 020930Z DEC 25 OPERATIONAL PHASE: CRITICAL KINETIC/COGNITIVE PHASE // RF STEPNOHORSK MAIN EFFORT PUSH
SUMMARY: The operational center of gravity has shifted decisively to the Stepnohorsk Main Line of Defense (MLD) in Zaporizhzhia, supported by a confirmed RF effort to degrade Ukrainian Critical Infrastructure (CRI) in Odesa Oblast. RF is maximizing kinetic pressure (BMP-3, KAB saturation) simultaneous with the Moscow diplomatic track, using the threat of French intervention as a new Information Operation (IO) vector. UAF deep strike capability remains effective (Livny FSF hit), and high attrition rates persist (47th Brigade). The critical intelligence gap remains the specific operational parameters of the newly fielded RF tactical EW capabilities.
| Location | Status | Assessment | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stepnohorsk MLD (Zaporizhzhia) | Active Assault/Imminent Breach | RF main effort fixates here. Shift of pro-RF narrative away from Huliaipole validates Stepnohorsk as the current primary objective. UAF 5 OShB remains under extreme pressure. | HIGH |
| Pokrovsk/Myrnohrad Axis (Donetsk) | Terminal Encirclement/Attrition | RF claims surrender of UAF personnel in the area. Focus is transitioning from offensive maneuver to consolidation and attrition of surrounded UAF elements. | HIGH |
| Odesa Oblast (Deep Rear) | Mass CRI Targeting | Confirmed mass RF UAS strike on Odesa CRI, resulting in 36,000 customers without power. This targets UAF strategic electrical reserves and forces AD asset reallocation. | HIGH |
| Livny, Oryol Oblast (RF Deep Rear) | UAF Deep Strike Confirmed | Successful UAF strike on a Fuel Storage Facility (FSF) confirmed. Maintains UAF strategic deterrence and deep strike capacity. | HIGH |
Weather remains cold and clear across the Eastern and Southern fronts, continuing to favor high-precision RF KAB strikes (reported in Eastern Kharkiv and Northern Donetsk) and long-range UAS/deep strike missions by both sides.
UAF: Defensive posture focused on maximizing attrition and localized technological advantage (UGV CASEVAC, R-60 counter-UAS TTP). AD assets are now strained, requiring rapid reallocation due to mass CRI strikes in Odesa. The 47th OMBr confirms significant sustained attrition success (114 KIA in November) in their sector. RF: Vostok Group maintains high offensive tempo in Zaporizhzhia, utilizing modernized mechanized assets (BMP-3 w/EW). RF is leveraging deep strike capability to shape the operational environment by diverting UAF AD resources away from the frontline defense. The reported strike on the FSF in Livny may stress RF localized fuel logistics in the adjacent Kursk/Belgorod areas.
INTENTION (IMMEDIATE): RF intends to achieve a decisive kinetic success at Stepnohorsk, utilizing BMP-3 EW suites to disrupt UAF C2/C-UAS capabilities and create an operational breach. This kinetic action is designed to maximize leverage for the Moscow diplomatic meeting ("peace for assets" narrative). (CONFIDENCE: HIGH)
CAPABILITY (EW/C-UAS): The synchronization of tactical EW (BMP-3) and offensive C-UAS (FPV ramming, dedicated anti-UAV fire) represents a critical adaptation requiring immediate counter-TTP development. RF successfully utilized KABs and massed Shaheds to degrade Odesa CRI, confirming the capability to execute multi-domain pressure campaigns.
The deep strike on the Livny FSF represents a temporary localized disruption to RF fuel supply lines feeding the Kursk/Belgorod sectors. RF fundraising for the 110th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade (Donetsk) suggests persistent localized logistical gaps requiring civilian supplementation, contrasting the perceived robust state support for the modernized BMP-3 transfer. (CONFIDENCE: MEDIUM)
RF C2 remains effective in synchronizing the kinetic main effort (Stepnohorsk) with the strategic IO campaign (Moscow talks, French PMC threat, NATO friction narrative). Internal projection of stability (Kadyrov sports festival, cultural reports) aims to mask the demands of the conflict. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH)
UAF posture is defensive-attritional. Readiness levels remain high in stabilized sectors (47th BDE) but are critically stretched by the requirement to defend high-value CRI (Odesa) while mitigating the immediate Stepnohorsk kinetic threat. The validated UAF deep strike capability (Livny FSF) provides crucial leverage in the escalation ladder.
Successes:
Setbacks/Challenges:
The primary constraint is the AD resource pool, specifically Medium-Range AD (MRAD) required to counter KABs and Jet-Shaheds. Immediate requirement is for mobile, hardened AD platforms to protect forward-deployed assets at Stepnohorsk, enabling UAF forces to maintain FPV/ISR coverage despite BMP-3 EW activity.
RF IO is executing a coordinated two-pronged campaign:
UAF counter-IO focuses on showcasing kinetic success (Livny FSF, 47th BDE attrition, tactical combat footage) to maintain domestic morale against the backdrop of persistent KAB strikes and CRI degradation. RF morale reports are bifurcated—celebrating kinetic success while simultaneously soliciting civilian fundraising for necessary equipment.
The critical diplomatic development remains the synchronized application of kinetic force (Stepnohorsk) with diplomatic coercion (Moscow meeting/Frozen Assets). UAF must ensure the Dublin summit generates a strong counter-narrative of unwavering commitment, neutralizing the RF narrative that peace is only achievable through US-mediated concession.
MLCOA: TACTICAL EW BREACH AND EXPLOITATION AT STEPNOHORSK (CONFIDENCE: HIGH) RF will launch a high-intensity, multi-wave assault on Stepnohorsk MLD (likely sector adjacent to the claimed secured settlement) NLT 021200Z DEC. This assault will utilize modernized BMP-3s to create localized EW bubbles, blinding UAF FPV/Artillery targeting, followed by concentrated maneuver elements attempting to achieve a 2-3km penetration. RF IO will immediately leverage this tactical success to demand UAF participation in the Moscow talks under severe duress.
MDCOA: CRI COLLAPSE AND OPERATIONAL DEEP STRIKE (Risk Level: CRITICAL/HIGH) RF follows the Odesa CRI strike with coordinated KAB saturation strikes against UAF reserve assembly areas and MRAD/SHORAD positions in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia. The resulting AD failure allows RF tactical aviation (Su-34/35) to achieve temporary air superiority over the MLD, enabling unchecked tactical bombing (KABs) which forces a widespread UAF defensive collapse and triggers an unplanned commitment of strategic reserves (82nd/47th Brigades) under disadvantageous terms.
| Event | Estimated Timeline (ETA) | Confidence | Decision Point/Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| RF Mechanized Assault Peak (Stepnohorsk) | 021200Z - 021600Z DEC | HIGH | Confirmation of BMP-3 IFVs or dedicated EW vehicles actively jamming UAF FPV feed/radios (TECHINT). |
| UAF Tactical AD Redeployment | NLT 021100Z DEC | HIGH | NCA decision regarding the reallocation of minimum 2x SHORAD batteries from Odessa defense to Stepnohorsk to mitigate aviation threat. |
| RF IO Campaign Peak (French Targetting) | 021000Z - 021400Z DEC | HIGH | Expected official RF MFA statement or televised briefing amplifying the SVR warning regarding PMCs. |
| Commitment of Strategic Reserve (47th/82nd) | 021800Z DEC | MEDIUM | Confirmed RF penetration exceeding 2km depth at Stepnohorsk MLD, sustained for over 60 minutes, with localized C2 failure. |
| Priority | Gaps/Unresolved Questions | Collection Requirement (CR) |
|---|---|---|
| PRIORITY 1 (EW/C2 INTERFERENCE) | BMP-3 EW Effectiveness Radius and Signature. Precise operational range and spectrum utilized by the modernized BMP-3 EW suites, and the level of corresponding C2 degradation suffered by 5 OShB. | SIGINT/TECHINT (Stepnohorsk Salient): Continuous monitoring for localized electromagnetic signatures (frequency hopping, broadband jamming) centered on observed BMP-3 vectors. (Timeline: IMMEDIATE/CONTINUOUS). |
| PRIORITY 2 (RF RESOURCE RELIANCE) | Scale of RF FSF Loss (Livny). What percentage of the Vostok Group/Kursk Front fuel reserves were stored at Livny? Will this require RF to draw supplies from Belarussian or deep-rear reserves? | IMINT/HUMINT (Livny, Oryol Oblast): Post-strike damage assessment and open-source monitoring of RF fuel transport schedules in the Kursk/Belgorod GLOC areas. (Timeline: NLT 030000Z DEC). |
| PRIORITY 3 (RF DEEP INTENT) | Verification of Myrnohrad Encirclement/Surrender Claims. Are RF claims of widespread UAF surrender legitimate, or isolated incidents magnified for IO purposes? What UAF units are affected? | IMINT/ISR (Myrnohrad/Pokrovsk): High-resolution observation to verify RF troop density and confirm the status of the claimed encircled UAF units. (Timeline: NLT 021200Z DEC). |
//END OF REPORT//
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