Archived operational intelligence briefing
TIME: 021000Z DEC 25 OPERATIONAL PHASE: CRITICAL KINETIC PHASE // RF STEPNOHORSK BREACH AND AD ATTRITION
SUMMARY: The kinetic main effort in Zaporizhzhia is accelerating, confirmed by RF claims of capturing Zelenyi Hai, directly flanking the Stepnohorsk Main Line of Defense (MLD). This ground pressure is synchronized with strategic AD attrition, evidenced by the 62-UAS mass strike overnight. The information environment is dominated by escalating RF threats against potential French military involvement and the critical uncertainty surrounding the upcoming Donald Trump statement (2100Z), which is the key immediate strategic decision point. Immediate UAF priority is denying RF consolidation in Zelenyi Hai and preparing strategic messaging contingencies.
| Location | Status | Assessment | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zelenyi Hai (Zaporizhzhia) | RF Claimed Capture/Contested | RF Vostok Group claims successful seizure. If confirmed, this settlement serves as a critical launch point and fire base for a direct assault on the 5 OShB sector of the Stepnohorsk MLD. | HIGH |
| Stepnohorsk MLD (Zaporizhzhia) | Active Threat / Imminent Breach | Under extreme, localized pressure following the Zelenyi Hai advance. Requires immediate counter-fire support and anti-armor/EW reinforcement. | HIGH |
| Krasnoarmeysk (Donetsk) | RF Consolidation | RF MoD claims successful artillery strikes on UAF strongholds. Confirms continued RF shaping operations and attrition against isolated UAF elements in the broader Pokrovsk salient. | HIGH |
| Lyman Direction | Localized UAF Success | 53 OMBr 'Signum' confirmed successful disruption of RF logistics. Demonstrates UAF capacity for localized offensive action in stabilized sectors. | HIGH |
Weather remains cold and clear, facilitating high-altitude ISR, UAS operations, and continued RF use of Guided Aerial Bombs (KABs) against East Kharkiv targets (confirmed by Air Force alert 08:21Z).
UAF: AD assets are highly dispersed and strained, evidenced by the alerts regarding incoming UAS aimed at Kyiv and Kharkiv, following the 62-drone overnight saturation. Forward units (5 OShB) are currently managing kinetic and EW threats. UAF Intelligence (HUR) maintains effective deep strike capacity, confirmed by reported AD asset degradation in Donbas and potential maritime/deep-rear sabotage (Grozny/Midvolga 2). RF: RF is committed to the synchronized multi-domain assault: Kinetic push (Zelenyi Hai) combined with CRI/AD degradation (62-UAS attack) and high-volume IO (French threat). The successful mass-UAS attack confirms effective long-range strike coordination.
INTENTION (IMMEDIATE KINETIC): RF intends to rapidly exploit the momentum gained from the Zelenyi Hai seizure to achieve a decisive breakthrough at Stepnohorsk NLT 021400Z DEC. This is designed to maximize leverage ahead of the diplomatic meeting window (Moscow talks/Dublin summit). (CONFIDENCE: HIGH)
CAPABILITY (AD ATTRITION): The proven capability to launch a 62-UAS saturation strike, simultaneous with KAB usage on key operational areas (Kharkiv), confirms RF capacity to sustain crippling AD resource depletion across the entire operational theater. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH)
RF utilizes centralized state messaging (TASS) to highlight financial benefits for demobilized veterans, indicating an ongoing focus on long-term force generation and internal stability despite high attrition. The Grozny incident, if validated, poses a minimal logistical threat but a maximum psychological C2/security threat, potentially stressing rear area troop deployments. (CONFIDENCE: MEDIUM)
RF C2 is highly effective in synchronizing diplomatic pressure (Moscow talks), kinetic attacks (Stepnohorsk, 62-UAS wave), and the information domain (French threat amplification). The rapid coordinated amplification of the Zelenyi Hai success indicates a tight coupling between Vostok Group field C2 and strategic IO C2. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH)
Posture remains defensive-attritional, with critical focus on AD asset management. The need to defend against the 62-drone wave (and subsequent alerts) severely compromises the ability to reinforce frontline SHORAD/MRAD capabilities at Stepnohorsk. Readiness in key maneuver units (5 OShB) remains high but is under peak duress.
Successes:
Setbacks/Challenges:
The primary constraint is Immediate Kinetic Response Capacity. Forces must be allocated immediately to conduct a high-density counter-fire mission to deny RF consolidation of Zelenyi Hai. This requires rapid prioritization of long-range fires away from other less critical tasks.
The RF SVR warning regarding French PMCs is now amplified as a critical component of the anti-NATO IO campaign. This is designed to establish legal precedent for targeting NATO personnel and pressure France ahead of the Dublin summit. RF channels are also actively magnifying the Zelenyi Hai capture claim to assert tactical dominance.
UAF counter-IO must urgently leverage the HUR AD success and 53 OMBr tactical wins to counteract the narrative of widespread tactical setbacks (Pokrovsk/Zelenyi Hai) and mass-UAS attacks on population centers. The focus on high-profile anti-corruption efforts (Procurator General’s detention of former energy official) aids in maintaining domestic trust and morale regarding internal governance.
The decisive factor for the next 48 hours is the scheduled Donald Trump statement at 2100Z. This event poses a black swan risk capable of completely overturning the current diplomatic stability (Ireland/Moscow tracks). The existing RF IO campaign against NATO must be countered before the Trump statement introduces new variables.
MLCOA: CONSOLIDATION OF ZELENYI HAI, FOLLOWED BY HIGH-INTENSITY ASSAULT ON STEPNOHORSK MLD (CONFIDENCE: HIGH) RF Vostok Group will utilize the remainder of the morning (021000Z - 021400Z DEC) to consolidate gains in Zelenyi Hai (establishing forward command and fire points). This will be followed by a concentrated armor/mechanized assault (utilizing BMP-3 EW suites) supported by KAB/Artillery fires to achieve a localized breach into the Stepnohorsk MLD, forcing UAF C2 to commit the nearest available reserve.
MDCOA: STRATEGIC AIR SUPERIORITY WINDOW & TRUMP PIVOT (Risk Level: CRITICAL/HIGH) The combined stress of the 62-drone attack and KAB saturation leads to a localized, cascading failure of UAF MRAD coverage in the Southern axis. This enables RF tactical aviation to conduct sustained, unmolested close air support sorties over the Stepnohorsk breach area. Simultaneously, the Trump 2100Z statement announces a significant policy shift (e.g., immediate funding freeze, demand for ceasefire), causing strategic paralysis within NCA and allied capitals, allowing the RF kinetic breakthrough to succeed unopposed.
| Event | Estimated Timeline (ETA) | Confidence | Decision Point/Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| RF Consolidation in Zelenyi Hai | NLT 021200Z DEC | HIGH | Confirmation of RF logistics/engineer units observed operating within Zelenyi Hai boundaries (IMINT/ISR). |
| Peak Stepnohorsk Assault | 021400Z - 021800Z DEC | HIGH | Detection of massed BMP-3 formations breaching the Forward Line of Own Troops (FLOT) east of Stepnohorsk. |
| Trump Statement | 022100Z DEC | HIGH | Strategic decision threshold for all Western aid and diplomatic support, requiring immediate NCA response. |
| Deployment of Theater Reserves | NLT 030000Z DEC | MEDIUM | Confirmed loss of key C2/logistics nodes around Stepnohorsk, or RF penetration exceeding 3km depth. |
| Priority | Gaps/Unresolved Questions | Collection Requirement (CR) |
|---|---|---|
| PRIORITY 1 (KINETIC VALIDATION) | Zelenyi Hai Control Status and RF Density. Is the RF control of Zelenyi Hai absolute, or is UAF contesting the area? What units (Battalion Tactical Group size/composition) are consolidating there? | IMINT/ISR (Stepnohorsk Salient): Continuous, high-resolution observation of Zelenyi Hai and the immediate adjacent forest/field areas for signs of prepared RF fire positions. (Timeline: IMMEDIATE/CONTINUOUS). |
| PRIORITY 2 (STRATEGIC UNCERTAINTY) | Content of Trump 2100Z Statement. What is the scope (domestic/foreign policy) and tone (supportive/critical) of the planned statement? | OSINT/HUMINT (US Political/Diplomatic Track): Continuous monitoring of US political analysts, campaign staff, and key media outlets for early indications or leaks NLT 021200Z DEC. |
| PRIORITY 3 (DEEP STRIKE EFFECT) | Verification of Grozny Strike Damage. Confirmation of damage assessment at the reported 'Akhmat' base in Grozny to quantify psychological and material impact on Chechen force generation. | GEOINT/HUMINT (Grozny, Chechnya): Open-source investigation and satellite imagery review for damage confirmation or post-strike security measures. (Timeline: NLT 030000Z DEC). |
//END OF REPORT//
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