Archived operational intelligence briefing
TIME: 050604Z DEC 2025 SUBJECT: STEPNOHORSK MLD: RESERVE ENGAGEMENT PHASE INITIATED. ENEMY CENSORSHIP AND DIPLOMATIC SIGNALING INTENSIFY. PRIORITY: CRITICAL BATTLE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT (BDA) AND COUNTER-MOBILITY EFFORT.
The operational status at Stepnohorsk remains CRITICAL. The decisive moment for committing the UAF operational reserve (BRAVO-BLOCK) has passed (0600Z CDP).
Clear skies and low wind persist, maintaining optimal conditions for RF Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Guided Aerial Bomb (KAB) targeting. The weather continues to favor multi-domain RF operations.
Forward defense elements are heavily engaged. The BRAVO-BLOCK reserve movement order has been executed (Actioned NLT 050600Z). Success hinges on the effectiveness of the MCLC integration under kinetic pressure.
Intention: RF objective is to leverage the operational delay (0600Z window) to inflict maximum attrition on the UAF reserve as it clears the minefield, thereby allowing the 37th GMRB to transition from penetration to operational consolidation forward of Phase Line BRAVO.
Recent Tactical Changes/Adaptations:
RF logistics remain the long-term strategic vulnerability, despite sufficient immediate ammunition.
RF C2 effectively synchronizes the MLD with geopolitical shaping operations (Putin in India, Trump contact signaling). However, the internal security issues (corruption arrests, censorship spike) indicate localized C2 strain and a high prioritization of internal informational control over decentralized operational flexibility.
UAF posture is highly mobilized, with the BRAVO-BLOCK reserve committed to the counter-attack maneuver as of 0600Z. Success is contingent on rapid BDA (P13) and the ability of integrated engineering assets to mitigate the "Mangas" minefield and "Kuryer" UGV threat.
Successes: Execution of the deep strike campaign (Syzran Refinery) and securing strategic aid (Patriot package).
Setbacks: The reliance on MCLC integration has caused an unavoidable operational delay, allowing the 37th GMRB to gain critical time in the breach zone.
The primary constraint has shifted from "initiation of movement" to "successful penetration of the anti-mobility layer." Critical Requirement: Dedicated close air support (if available) or intensive suppression fire (J3/J2) must be maintained over the MCLC breach corridor to protect the reserve force's advance.
| Domain | Finding (FACT/Judgment) | Confidence | Operational Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| RF Geopolitical Signaling (NEW) | RF comments on easily organizing a call between Putin and former President Trump (050536Z). | HIGH (Fact) | STRATEGIC DIVERSION: Attempts to signal diplomatic relevance and potential future US policy shifts, designed to disrupt ongoing US-Ukraine aid discussions (Miami negotiations, P11) and exploit domestic US political divisions. |
| RF Internal Censorship (NEW) | Roskomnadzor aggressively blocked social apps and VPN protocols (050548Z). | HIGH (Fact) | CRITICAL INFORMATION CONTROL: Demonstrates high C2 prioritization on maintaining internal narrative control following embarrassing deep strikes (Syzran, Grozny) and logistics corruption leaks. Indicates fear of domestic instability. |
| RF Internal Rot Exposure (NEW) | Arrest of 11 individuals for stealing funds from military personnel (050552Z). | HIGH (Fact) | STRATEGIC EXPLOITATION OPPORTUNITY: Confirms the depth of systemic corruption affecting RF service members. High value for UAF STRATCOM to degrade enemy morale and public trust. |
| RF Military Propaganda (NEW) | Video featuring Uragan MLRS crew and discussion of "agitation" via artillery (050602Z). | MEDIUM (Fact/Judgment) | MORALE/DOCTRINE: Confirms use of BM-27 Uragan MLRS (D-S belief 0.030898) and highlights psychological warfare as an explicit doctrinal objective of their indirect fires. |
| RF Strategic Diplomacy (NEW) | Putin's official welcome ceremony in India (050603Z). | HIGH (Fact) | GLOBAL LEGITIMACY: Projects an image of international stability and continued diplomatic engagement despite the war, countering Western isolation efforts. |
RF forces (37th GMRB) will mass fires (artillery and KAB) onto the newly advancing BRAVO-BLOCK reserve corridor, focusing specifically on observed MCLC assets. They will attempt to utilize "Mangas" and "Kuryer" C2 flexibility to reposition anti-mobility assets and channel the counter-attack into optimized kill zones. The flank fixation (38th GMRB) will continue localized attacks to enforce reserve commitment constraints.
The "Mangas" RMAO severely degrades the MCLC effectiveness, resulting in heavy armor loss for the leading BRAVO-BLOCK elements, halting the counter-attack NLT 050700Z. RF capitalizes on the resulting C2 confusion by launching the predicted high-precision Kinzhal/Iskander strike on the Dnipro C2 node. The 37th GMRB achieves operational breakout depth toward Zaporizhzhia under reduced UAF command coordination.
| Event | Estimated Time Frame | Decision Point | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate MCLC BDA Confirmation (P13) | NLT 050630Z | J3/J2 MUST CONFIRM BREACH SUCCESS/FAILURE. Determines whether to commit follow-on reserve waves or initiate immediate fire suppression/diversionary maneuvers. | CRITICAL ACTION |
| RF Geopolitical Response Integration | NLT 050700Z | J2/J7 must analyze RF diplomatic signaling (Trump/India) for shifts in military aid calculus or strategic distraction impact. | URGENT C2 |
| Miami Negotiations Outcome (P11) | NLT 050800Z | J3/J6 must receive and integrate any confirmed immediate military aid (EW/AD) to counter the MDCOA threat and support reserve movement. | URGENT C2 |
| Priority | Gap Description | Required Action | Confidence Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| P13 (CRITICAL - MANEUVER) | Confirmed depth and composition of the 37th GMRB penetration and MCLC effectiveness. (BDA) | IMMEDIATE UAV/IMINT Tasking: Directed high-resolution observation of the MCLC breach zone (Phase Line ALPHA to BRAVO) and the forward echelon of the 37th GMRB. | CRITICAL, dictates optimal direction and timing for reserve follow-on maneuvers. |
| P2 (CRITICAL - NEW EW THREAT) | "Mangas" UAS Control Frequencies and C2 Protocol. (Unchanged) | IMMEDIATE SIGINT/EW Tasking: Priority collection around the Stepnohorsk breach to develop a rapid soft-kill profile for the anti-mobility layer. | CRITICAL, dictates effectiveness of countermeasures beyond MCLC, crucial for minimizing reserve losses. |
| P1 (CRITICAL - FLANK) | Vector and immediate intention of the 38th GMRB. (Unchanged) | ISR Tasking (IMINT/HUMINT): Dedicated observation of 38th GMRB staging areas, focusing on movement toward flank reinforcement or bypass (Huliaipole/Dobropillya). | HIGH, dictates final employment of reserve force elements. |
ACTION: EXECUTE FIRE SUPPORT OVERWATCH AND RAPID BDA FOR RESERVE MOVEMENT.
ACTION: LOGISTICS AND UGV C2 DEGRADATION.
ACTION: EXPLOIT CORRUPTION AND CENSORSHIP.
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