Archived operational intelligence briefing
The operational picture is characterized by immediate, layered Russian Federation (RF) deep strikes targeting the resilience of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) supply chain and critical national infrastructure, preceding the anticipated Main Land Drive (MLD) launch at Stepnohorsk.
Conditions are generally clear, facilitating RF long-range ISR and deep strike operations. The heavy smoke from the Dnipro logistics facility fires (11:16Z) may temporarily complicate low-altitude local ISR over the city.
RF: RF deep strike assets continue high operational tempo, demonstrating C2 effectiveness by shifting targets from strategic rail (Fastiv) and utility infrastructure (Kryvyi Rih) to tactical logistics and infrastructure coercion (Dnipro, ZNPP grid). Drone activity reported over Sumy Oblast (Konotop towards Bakhmach/Chernihiv, 11:24Z) suggests persistent northern ISR/fixation efforts. UAF: UAF Southern forces report sustained high enemy attrition rates (359 personnel, 33 vehicles destroyed, 11:26Z), indicating effective localized defensive fires despite the strategic logistical setback. UAF AD remains challenged by multi-vector deep strikes.
RF Intent: Immediate intent is to achieve maximum friction and paralysis within the UAF command structure (logistical, political, psychological) within the 12 hours preceding the MLD launch. The ZNPP power cut adds a coercive layer to this strategy.
| Capability | Assessment | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Layered Logistics Interdiction | Demonstrated capability to neutralize strategic (Fastiv) and tactical (Dnipro) supply nodes concurrently. | HIGH |
| Nuclear Coercion (Electrical Grid) | Capability confirmed to disrupt ZNPP external power (either intentionally or as collateral of widespread grid attacks). This forces UAF attention and resources away from the immediate kinetic threat. | HIGH |
| Internal Paralysis (IO) | Demonstrated capability to synchronize IO (Fastiv footage, forced mobilization videos) with kinetic action to slow UAF decision cycles regarding reserve commitment. | HIGH |
The shift of deep strike vector to Nova Poshta/medical warehouses indicates a prioritization of Class VIII (Medical) and Class IV (Construction/General) supplies, directly affecting sustainment for defending units and the wounded, amplifying pressure on the Southern front defenders who are already sustaining high attrition rates.
RF fuel supply (Class III) may still face long-term constraints due to the Kairos tanker strike, but this is overshadowed by the immediate operational benefits derived from paralyzing UAF logistics. The confirmation of the Fastiv depot damage (11:25Z) reinforces the severity of the UAF Class V and reserve movement constraint.
RF C2 remains highly effective, executing coordinated, multi-objective deep strike missions across vast distances (Kyiv Oblast, Cherkasy Oblast, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast) while maintaining focus on the MLD preparation in Zaporizhzhia. (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
UAF forces are under acute, multi-domain pressure. The primary focus is maintaining defensive cohesion at the Stepnohorsk axis while managing concurrent domestic crises (logistics repair, IO fallout, ZNPP safety protocol). Readiness remains high at the tactical level (as evidenced by Southern attrition success) but operational mobility is severely hampered by Fastiv.
Setbacks:
CRITICAL CONSTRAINT: The operational timeline for the BRAVO-BLOCK reserve movement is directly tied to the Fastiv bypass capacity (still being established) and the speed of mine clearance along the Stepnohorsk AoAs (Mangas threat).
URGENT REQUIREMENTS: Immediate sourcing of mobile power generation assets and grid stabilization experts for the ZNPP region, and establishment of alternate medical logistics hubs for Dnipro.
RF IO FOCUS: The campaign is in the exploitation phase, designed to demoralize and distract. Key elements:
Domestic morale is highly brittle. The visible destruction of civilian logistics (Nova Poshta) and residential areas in Dnipro (11:05Z) combined with footage of forced mobilization incidents creates deep public anxiety regarding the fairness of the mobilization process and the safety of the rear areas. (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
Diplomatic channels remain active and focused on long-term support (Rutte/Trump team discussions). However, the complexity of securing future U.S. aid during a transition period (Trump team contact confirmed, 11:19Z) adds uncertainty to the resource planning for late Q4 2025/Q1 2026.
(CRITICAL, HIGH CONFIDENCE) MLD Launch and Coordinated Paralysis. RF initiates the 37th GMRB MLD at Stepnohorsk within the next 8-12 hours (NLT 2300Z 06 DEC). The assault will be supported by continued deep fire interdiction against newly established Fastiv road/rail bypasses and high-intensity RF IO aimed at maximizing domestic political friction (mobilization/corruption) to delay the NCA decision on the BRAVO-BLOCK reserve commitment.
(CRITICAL DANGER, HIGH CONFIDENCE) Systemic Breakdown via Infrastructure Coercion. RF maintains deep strike pressure, resulting in prolonged ZNPP external power loss, forcing the UAF to redirect significant AD and National Guard assets to nuclear security protocol. Simultaneously, the MLD achieves a shallow breakthrough at Stepnohorsk, encountering a UAF counter-attack force (BRAVO-BLOCK) that is severely delayed by Mangas minefields and logistical failures stemming from the Fastiv/Dnipro interdictions.
| Decision Point | Event Trigger | Time Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| D+0/H+4 (ZNPP Grid Stability) | Restoration of the primary external power line or activation of a dedicated, secure secondary power line to ZNPP. | NLT 1600Z 06 DEC |
| D+0/H+12 (MLD Initiation) | Confirmed mass movement of 37th GMRB main armored echelons (tanks/IFVs) across the forward line of advance (FLOT) at Stepnohorsk. | NLT 2300Z 06 DEC |
| D+1 (Reserve Commitment) | NCA decision on the full release and specific deployment routes (AoAs) for the BRAVO-BLOCK reserve, incorporating mine-clearance constraints. | NLT 1200Z 07 DEC |
| Priority | Gap Description | Collection Requirement (CR) | Confidence Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRIORITY 1 (NUCLEAR SAFETY): | Confirmation of ZNPP grid stabilization status and availability of redundant power sources (off-site transformers/diesel generation readiness). | TECHINT/IAEA Liaison. Direct reporting required from the plant operator and grid engineers. | LOW (Only public IAEA confirmation of loss) |
| PRIORITY 2 (EW/TECH): | Operational range and C2 frequency parameters of the NRTK "Kurier" UGV system to develop targeted EW counter-measures. (Repeat CR) | SIGINT/TECHINT focused on RF ground maneuver C2 channels in Zaporizhzhia/Donbas. | MEDIUM |
| PRIORITY 3 (NORTHERN THREAT): | Purpose of the Konotop-Bakhmach UAV vector (11:24Z). Is this deep ISR, or is it threat-shaping for a strike on a Northern rail/road node? | IMINT/ELINT along the UAV's predicted trajectory and end location. | MEDIUM |
INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION (J7/J3): STABILIZE ZNPP AND SECURE AD BOXES.
LOGISTICS REDUNDANCY (J4): EMERGENCY MEDICAL CROSS-DOCKING.
OPERATIONAL MANEUVER (J3): HIGH-SPEED MINE-CLEARANCE INFUSION.
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS (P7): COUNTER-MOBILIZATION NARRATIVE.
//END OF REPORT//
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