Archived operational intelligence briefing
TIME: 021100Z DEC 25 OPERATIONAL PHASE: DECISIVE KINETIC PRESSURE // STEPNOHORSK MLD CRITICAL // DIPLOMATIC HARDENING PHASE
SUMMARY: The operational situation in the Zaporizhzhia sector has rapidly deteriorated. RF Ministry of Defense (MoD) confirms the capture of both Zelenyi Hai and Dobropillia (FACT, HIGH CONFIDENCE). This kinetic expansion significantly increases the attack front against the Stepnohorsk Main Line of Defense (MLD), creating an immediate, high-risk operational salient. This success is being maximally leveraged by the Russian National Command Authority (NCA): Peskov has publicly hardened the diplomatic negotiation floor, stating that "peaceful settlement" requires fulfilling all "SVO" objectives and endorsing the Trump plan as a viable basis. The immediate window for the anticipated mechanized assault on Stepnohorsk remains NLT 021400Z DEC, synchronized with the Putin-Witkoff talks. UAF counter-fire missions against the newly captured Dobropillia salient are now mandatory to prevent a defensive collapse.
| Location | Status | Assessment | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dobropillia (Zaporizhzhia) | RF Confirmed Capture (FACT) | Loss of Dobropillia expands the RF foothold west of Zelenyi Hai, allowing Vostok Group to initiate a pincer movement or a wider front assault against the Stepnohorsk MLD (5 OShB sector). Requires immediate counter-fire to deny consolidation. | HIGH |
| Zelenyi Hai (Zaporizhzhia) | RF Confirmed Consolidation (FACT) | RF is now operating from two confirmed forward bases. KAB strikes confirmed targeting Zaporizhzhia Oblast (FACT). The threat to Stepnohorsk MLD is now CRITICAL. | HIGH |
| Pokrovsk GLOC (Donetsk) | Blockade/Severance (JUDGEMENT) | Remains severed, with RF forces consolidating positions near Klinove. Focus shifts from relief to preventing RF breakthrough exploitation in this axis. | HIGH |
| Kharkiv Oblast | Weather Degradation (FACT) | Kharkiv RMA reports worsening weather (rain/wind/snow), potentially reducing high-altitude ISR and RF KAB/UAS effectiveness in the Northeast theater. | MEDIUM |
Weather in the Southern Operational Zone (Zaporizhzhia/Kherson) remains generally conducive to kinetic operations and armor movement. Northeast theater (Kharkiv/Kupiansk) is experiencing meteorological degradation, which may temporarily mitigate large-scale RF air employment (KAB saturation).
UAF: Units are under extreme duress on the Southern Axis. C2 must execute a rapid triage of AD assets and kinetic reserves. The demonstrated success of SBU counter-intelligence against foreign espionage (UK instructor) indicates C2 integrity, but this does not address immediate frontline kinetic deficits.
RF: RF is fully committed to a strategic synchronization designed to peak during the 1400Z diplomatic talks. Resources dedicated to force modernization (BMP-3 upgrades) and recruitment sustainment (increased veteran benefits) signal commitment to a prolonged, high-intensity conflict. RF is executing IO to project humanitarian concern in Vovchansk (Kharkiv) while simultaneously advancing in Zaporizhzhia.
INTENTION (IMMEDIATE/DIPLOMATIC): RF intends to secure a de facto military victory condition in Zaporizhzhia (breaching Stepnohorsk) prior to, or during, the 1400Z Moscow talks. The strategic intent is to impose a ceasefire based on the fulfillment of "SVO objectives," as explicitly stated by Peskov (FACT, 09:04Z).
CAPABILITY (FORCE PROJECTION): RF demonstrates the capability for strategic geopolitical expansion (reported Sudan naval base proposal) and technological sustainment (confirmed BMP-3 upgrades), projecting long-term confidence and resource stability. (CONFIDENCE: MEDIUM - based on confirmed TASS reporting of external proposals).
COA (KINETIC): Vostok Group will exploit the Zelenyi Hai/Dobropillia salient by launching the main mechanized assault on the Stepnohorsk MLD. The attack is designed to create a breach and penetrate depth NLT 021400Z DEC, utilizing heavy KAB and artillery preparation fires starting around 021300Z DEC.
RF sustainment remains robust, evidenced by:
RF C2 effectiveness is assessed as HIGH. The rapid, synchronized operational timeline—capture of Dobropillia (09:29Z), subsequent MoD briefing/video (09:33Z/09:31Z), and immediate political framing by Peskov (09:28Z)—confirms integrated multi-domain synchronization between kinetic operations, military IO, and high-level diplomatic strategy.
Posture is highly challenged due to the kinetic pressure on Stepnohorsk and the critical requirement for immediate counter-fire assets. Units near Stepnohorsk (5 OShB) are now facing an attack originating from an expanded salient. Readiness hinges entirely on the rapid deployment of reserve counter-fire and specialized counter-mobility teams to deny RF consolidation in Dobropillia.
Successes:
Setbacks/Challenges:
CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: Immediate, overwhelming kinetic response on the Dobropillia-Zelenyi Hai corridor. This requires the redeployment of long-range precision fires (HIMARS, MLRS) from less critical sectors now to disrupt RF staging, regardless of the Pokrovsk status.
CONSTRAINT: The 1400Z diplomatic window imposes a strict time constraint. Failure to visibly slow the RF advance before the talks begin will maximize RF leverage.
RF IO is focused on:
UAF domestic morale is maintained by the transparency of high-level counter-corruption/counter-espionage efforts (Sheyko, SBU arrests) and projection of competent C2 (ZSU officer video). However, the combined news of CRI degradation and frontline losses in Zaporizhzhia will necessitate proactive messaging to maintain civilian resilience.
The Putin-Witkoff 1400Z meeting is the strategic pivot point. The RF position is now explicitly hardened: any ceasefire must acknowledge current or projected SVO gains. Allied unity is confirmed by the Sweden aid and previous Ireland Summit plans, but the danger of RF splitting the US delegation using the Trump plan endorsement remains high.
MLCOA: STEPNOHORSK BREACH AND DIPLOMATIC DEMAND (CONFIDENCE: HIGH) RF forces, utilizing the expanded forward operating base in Dobropillia and Zelenyi Hai, will launch a coordinated mechanized assault on the Stepnohorsk MLD (5 OShB sector). NLT 021400Z DEC, RF forces achieve a tactical penetration. RF MoD immediately broadcasts this success, allowing the Russian delegation at the Moscow talks to demand an immediate "freeze the lines" ceasefire ultimatum to Witkoff, supported by the pre-framed narrative that UAF failure to comply sabotages peace and contradicts the acceptable framework (Trump plan).
MDCOA: FLANKING MANEUVER AND STRATEGIC INTERDICTION (Risk Level: CRITICAL/HIGH) RF Vostok Group uses the capture of Dobropillia to launch a rapid, shallow flanking maneuver northwest, bypassing Stepnohorsk's strongest fortifications. They succeed in using long-range fire (or direct penetration) to interdict the key MSR (Main Supply Route) feeding the UAF units defending Orikhiv or Stepnohorsk reserves. This strategic interdiction, coupled with the AD attrition caused by CRI strikes, forces the NCA to make an immediate, unfavorable withdrawal decision simultaneous with the Moscow diplomatic talks, leading to a catastrophic collapse of the Southern defensive line.
| Event | Estimated Timeline (ETA) | Confidence | Decision Point/Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| RF Final Preparation Fires | 021200Z - 021330Z DEC | HIGH | Confirmation of RF artillery relocation or high-density KAB alerts targeting Stepnohorsk MLD. |
| Putin-Witkoff Talks Begin | 021400Z DEC | HIGH | Critical window for NCA strategic communication release to pre-empt RF narrative. |
| Stepnohorsk MLD Assault Launch | 021400Z - 021600Z DEC | HIGH | Detection of armor columns moving out of Dobropillia/Zelenyi Hai towards the MLD. |
| MLD Penetration Confirmation | 021600Z - 021900Z DEC | MEDIUM | Confirmation of armor in depth behind FLOT. NCA must have pre-determined reserve release criteria. |
| Priority | Gaps/Unresolved Questions | Collection Requirement (CR) |
|---|---|---|
| PRIORITY 1 (KINETIC PENETRATION) | RF Unit Composition and Route from Dobropillia. Which specific BTGs/units captured Dobropillia, and is the attack vector planned for direct assault (West) or flanking maneuver (Northwest)? | IMINT/ISR (Dobropillia/Stepnohorsk): Continuous SAR/EO/IR focus on Dobropillia and the expected approach routes to Stepnohorsk. Priority on identifying specialized engineer/bridging equipment. (Timeline: IMMEDIATE/CONTINUOUS). |
| PRIORITY 2 (TECHINT/COUNTERMEASURES) | Effectiveness of BMP-3 Upgrades. What are the specific combat effectiveness improvements of the newly reported BMP-3 IFV variants, and how will they impact UAF ATGM doctrine? | TECHINT/WPNINT: Analysis of RF propaganda video (09:03Z) and localized HUMINT/SIGINT for technical specifications and expected armor density of the new variant. (Timeline: NLT 021800Z DEC). |
| PRIORITY 3 (STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS) | Allied Reaction to Peskov/Trump Statement. How have key NATO allies (US, UK, Germany) reacted to Peskov's endorsement of the Trump peace plan? | OSINT/HUMINT (Diplomatic Track/Allies): Immediate monitoring of major Western news outlets and official government statements for reaction to the Peskov comments. (Timeline: IMMEDIATE). |
//END OF REPORT//
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