Archived operational intelligence briefing
TIME: 021145Z DEC 25 OPERATIONAL PHASE: CRITICAL KINETIC PRESSURE / PEAK IO-KINETIC SYNCHRONIZATION UPDATE: Immediate situation remains CRITICAL. RF forces are confirmed sustaining kinetic pressure while achieving maximum synchronization of diplomatic (Moscow talks) and information (Ukrainian political collapse) warfare. The political stabilization window is closing rapidly, coinciding with the imminent launch of the mechanized assault wave at Stepnohorsk.
| Location | Status | Assessment | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stepnohorsk MLD / D/Z H Salient | Imminent Assault Preparation (JUDGEMENT) | RF preparations supported by recent advanced equipment delivery (BMP-3 modernization). Assault timeline of 1400Z remains the MLCOA. | HIGH |
| Pokrovsk Sector | UAF Defensive Hold Confirmed (FACT) | UAF General Staff (021132Z) refutes RF claims of city capture ("флагофтику" attempt), confirming UAF maintenance of control despite severe GLOC pressure. | HIGH |
| Lyman Sector | Successful UAF Interdiction (FACT) | 66th Mechanized Brigade destroyed 12 RF personnel during a motorized assault attempt. Confirms high UAF tactical effectiveness in defending fixed positions. | HIGH |
| Zaporizhzhia Oblast | Sustained Civilian Targeting (FACT) | Confirmed reports of ongoing RF strikes against civilian targets, requiring medical triage. Confirms continued RF shaping operations in the Stepnohorsk rear. | HIGH |
No change from previous assessment. Stable conditions favor RF mechanized maneuver and aviation operations. Isolated fog (Lyman sector) presents tactical opportunities for both sides.
UAF: Frontline units maintain high tactical readiness (Lyman, Pokrovsk counter-IO). However, National Command Authority (NCA) focus is severely degraded by internal political disruption (Rada blockade) and concurrent strategic financial stability concerns.
RF: RF Vostok Group kinetic preparations are supported by confirmed defense industrial deliveries (BMP-3 with enhanced protection). RF C2 maintains tight synchronization between diplomatic action, IO (Rada/financial crisis amplification), and anticipated kinetic action.
INTENTION (IMMEDIATE): To maximize leverage in Moscow by creating an immediate and undeniable kinetic crisis (Stepnohorsk penetration) synchronized with peak information noise (political/financial collapse narratives).
CAPABILITY (LOGISTICAL): Confirmed delivery of Rostec modernized BMP-3s (enhanced armor/EW) demonstrates high-priority materiel allocation to forces preparing for offensive maneuvers, likely supporting the D/Z H assault. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH)
COA (DIPLOMATIC ESCALATION): RF Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) public statement warning that French PMCs are "legitimate targets" (021127Z DEC). This is assessed as a high-level strategic warning intended to deter NATO countries from forward deployment or escalation in response to the Stepnohorsk attack. (CONFIDENCE: MEDIUM)
RF Information Operations have immediately amplified verified political setbacks (Rada chaos, financial expert warnings) using high-velocity distribution to ensure these images define the narrative concurrent with the Moscow diplomatic activity. This demonstrates highly flexible and reactive IO adaptation.
Sustainment remains adequate and technologically focused, evidenced by the rollout of upgraded, survivability-enhanced BMP-3s. This suggests RF anticipates heavy resistance and attrition in the imminent assault. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH)
RF C2 remains highly effective in generating integrated effects across multiple domains (D-S belief in Information Warfare: Propaganda Effort by Russia: 13.81%). The immediate amplification of UAF internal instability (Rada blockage video disseminated by Colonelcassad and others) confirms a centralized directive to exploit political vulnerabilities. (CONFIDENCE: HIGH)
UAF tactical readiness remains high, validated by the successful interdiction operation in the Lyman sector and the prompt counter-IO refutation in Pokrovsk. Strategic readiness is undermined by the political crisis.
CRITICAL VULNERABILITY: The political paralysis at the Verkhovna Rada, combined with public reports of severe financial instability (Hetmantsev/ECB issues), provides the adversary with the necessary political cover to demand concessions during diplomatic talks, framed as necessary to stabilize a "failing state."
Successes:
Setbacks/Challenges:
The critical constraint is TIME to stabilize the internal political situation and execute kinetic interdiction. Failure to resolve the political crisis within the next hour risks compromising the NCA's ability to command and control resources effectively during the D/Z H assault (ETA 1400Z).
RF IO is at an operational peak:
Domestic morale is being tested by the simultaneous political crisis, financial stress signals, and relentless kinetic threat at Stepnohorsk. NCA must urgently counter the visual narrative of political chaos or risk widespread confidence erosion.
The focus remains overwhelmingly on the Moscow diplomatic track. The movement of the US Envoy (021107Z DEC, 021131Z DEC) confirms the window is active. The leaked report on US willingness to return frozen assets is highly damaging, signaling a potential softening of Western strategic resolve tied to achieving a negotiated settlement, regardless of UAF operational success.
MLCOA: STEPNOHORSK PENETRATION & IO ULTIMATUM (021400Z DEC) (CONFIDENCE: HIGH) RF will commence the main mechanized assault NLT 1400Z, utilizing enhanced BMP-3 platforms. This kinetic effort will be immediately followed by RF IO flooding the zone with claims of UAF strategic collapse (citing the financial/political crisis). The goal is to maximize pressure on US/International mediators in Moscow to demand a rapid, advantageous ceasefire line based on new RF kinetic gains.
MDCOA: ENERGY GRID COLLAPSE & OPERATIONAL ISOLATION (ESCALATED RISK) (Risk Level: CRITICAL/HIGH) RF launches simultaneous deep strikes (UAS/KAB) against critical infrastructure, leveraging the political distraction and AD dilution. This MDCOA may involve the use of the new, highly survivable BMP-3s to exploit the resulting disruption, achieving a deeper operational breakthrough beyond the MLD at Stepnohorsk and threatening UAF strategic reserves.
| Event | Estimated Timeline (ETA) | Confidence | Decision Point/Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAF Counter-Fire Status Report | 021145Z - 021200Z DEC | HIGH | J-3 must confirm status of interdiction fires against D/Z H staging areas (previous deadline 1130Z). |
| NCA Internal Stability Message | NLT 021145Z DEC | HIGH | CRITICAL DECISION POINT. Immediate presidential statement required to counter viral Rada chaos narrative. |
| MDCOA Trigger/Strategic AD Diversion | 021200Z - 021300Z DEC | MEDIUM | Confirmation of multi-axis missile/UAV launch against rear oblasts (Stepnohorsk requires maximum AD capacity preserved). |
| Stepnohorsk MLD Assault Launch | 021400Z DEC (Firm) | HIGH | Detection of modernized armor columns moving from D/Z H. |
| Priority | Gaps/Unresolved Questions | Collection Requirement (CR) |
|---|---|---|
| PRIORITY 1 (KINETIC FIRE PLAN) | Counter-Fire Effectiveness. Was the planned interdiction fire mission (NLT 1130Z) executed? What BDA (Battle Damage Assessment) is available against D/Z H staging areas? | ISR/UAS (Dobropillia/Zelenyi Hai): Post-strike BDA targeting high-confidence staging zones. (Timeline: IMMEDIATE/1200Z). |
| PRIORITY 2 (RESERVE STATUS) | Specific Deployment Status of UAF Reserves. Are key brigades (e.g., 5th Assault, 82nd/47th) effectively deployed or holding in reserve positions, given Pokrovsk stabilization and Stepnohorsk threat? | HUMINT/SIGINT (Southern/Central Axis): Verification of reserve brigade movement and location codes. (Timeline: NLT 021300Z DEC). |
| PRIORITY 3 (RF DIPLOMATIC TERMS) | Specific RF Demands in Moscow. What concrete kinetic and political concessions is RF demanding from Whitkoff right now? (This allows UAF to preemptively reject terms.) | OSINT/HUMINT (Moscow Diplomatic Sphere): Continuous monitoring of TASS/RT leaks and allied intelligence reporting on negotiation specifics. (Timeline: IMMEDIATE/CONTINUOUS). |
//END OF REPORT//
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