Nightwatch logo
'Nightwatch' text with white and gray letters
Historical Intelligence

Situation Report

Archived operational intelligence briefing

Report Time
2025-12-07 00:34:28Z
2 months ago
Previous (2025-12-07 00:04:30Z)

INTELLIGENCE SITUATION REPORT (SITREP) - CRITICAL LOGISTICAL SEVERANCE AND MANEUVER EXPOSURE

TIME: 070045Z DEC 25 SUBJECT: CONFIRMED KREMENCHUK LOGISTICAL BDA // TACTICAL LULL BEFORE STEPNOHORSK MLD // RESERVE LOCATION CRITICALITY


1. SITUATION OVERVIEW (Current Operational Picture)

A. Battlefield Geometry and Key Terrain

RF kinetic efforts have successfully degraded the Central Operational Logistical Axis, shifting the primary focus to the imminent ground battle.

  • Deep Battle Axis (Kremenchuk): Confirmed high-consequence Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) following the saturation strike. City services (Power, Water, Heat) are disrupted across multiple districts. This confirms the operational utility of the city as a major logistical hub is nullified for the immediate future (T+96h).
  • Zaporizhzhia Front (Stepnohorsk): The RF 37th GMRB Main Effort Land Drive (MLD) is expected to launch NLT 070600Z DEC 25. The preceding deep strike was specifically designed to ensure UAF forward defenders are supply-constrained immediately upon MLD initiation.
  • Air Threat Status: The short-term, high-speed ballistic/hypersonic threat (MiG-31K/Kinzhal launches) has concluded, leading to general air raid termination (00:33Z). However, low-speed harassment continues, with subsequent waves of Shahed UAVs confirmed tracking toward Kremenchuk.

B. Weather and Environmental Factors Affecting Operations

Severe frost continues. Clear skies facilitate both RF and UAF Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, making the exposed BRAVO-BLOCK reserve exceptionally vulnerable to detection.

C. Current Force Dispositions and Control Measures

RF: RF deep strike command successfully executed the convergence plan, achieving kinetic effects and immediately transitioning to sustained, low-cost harassment using Shahed UAVs. RF focus is now on immediate ground exploitation at Stepnohorsk. UAF: Air Defense assets are receiving a brief window to refuel and reposition following the termination of the heavy ballistic threat. This window must be exploited immediately to re-task mobile AD for Mobile Force Protection (MFP) of maneuver elements.


2. ENEMY ANALYSIS (Threat Assessment)

A. Enemy Capabilities, Intentions, and Courses of Action

RF Intent remains achieving immediate operational-level breakthrough at Stepnohorsk following logistical paralysis.

  • RF Intent Confirmation: The utilization of high-value systems (Kinzhal/Iskander) and the immediate BDA (utility loss) confirms that the primary objective was operational-level logistical severance, not merely symbolic strike. (Confidence: HIGH)
  • Follow-on Fire: The immediate shift to Shahed UAVs against Kremenchuk is assessed as a tactic designed to inhibit UAF BDA verification and slow emergency damage repair efforts, guaranteeing the logistical severing persists into the ground phase. (Confidence: HIGH)
  • Tactical Focus: RF operational C2 is now likely shifting full attention and ISR assets toward locating and targeting the exposed UAF operational reserve ("BRAVO-BLOCK") prior to the MLD launch. This aligns directly with the Most Dangerous Course of Action (MDCOA).

B. Recent Tactical Changes or Adaptations

The primary adaptation is the rapid, synchronized transition from strategic deep strike (Kinzhal) to tactical harassment (Shahed) to maintain pressure on the high-value logistical target set while minimizing further expenditure of strategic reserves.

C. Logistics and Sustainment Status

RF kinetic capacity for follow-on deep strikes is temporarily reduced after the Kinzhal/Iskander expenditure. The immediate urgency is driven by the internal fuel crisis (Ryazan/Uryupinsk strikes), forcing a rapid push for ground objectives within the T+48 hour window before their own logistics severely degrade. (Confidence: HIGH)


3. FRIENDLY FORCES (Blue Force Tracking)

A. Ukrainian Force Posture and Readiness

UAF forces are operating under high logistical duress and compressed decision space. The temporary AD lull offers a critical, perishable window to execute the necessary repositioning and C2 redundancy measures identified in the previous report.

B. Recent Tactical Successes or Setbacks

  • Setback (Deep Strike BDA): Confirmed high BDA on utility infrastructure (Kremenchuk Mayor report). This confirms the worst-case scenario for central axis logistical throughput.
  • Setback (Maneuver Vulnerability): The status of the "BRAVO-BLOCK" reserve (Gap P1) remains critically unresolved. Given the clear skies and RF ISR targeting intent, every minute the reserve status is unknown increases the risk of catastrophic attrition via RF precision strike.

C. Resource Requirements and Constraints

CONSTRAINT: Zero reliance on the Fastiv/Kremenchuk axis for heavy Class V/VII resupply for the Southern Front (T+96h). REQUIREMENT: Immediate confirmation and EW-protected movement of the BRAVO-BLOCK reserve. All mobile AD assets must be dedicated to MFP for the maneuver elements.


4. INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT (Cognitive Domain)

A. Propaganda and Disinformation Campaigns (Hybrid Synchronization)

RF IO is operating in tight synchronization with kinetic effects.

  • Internal Projection: TASS continues to distract from the massive kinetic commitment and domestic strain by focusing on non-military issues (e.g., fraud schemes), projecting stability to the Russian populace. (Confidence: HIGH)
  • External Coercion: RF milbloggers are immediately amplifying the "massive combined strike" BDA at Kremenchuk, seeking to maximize the psychological impact and demoralization effect on the Ukrainian populace and international partners. (Confidence: HIGH)

B. Public Sentiment and Morale Factors

Public sentiment is currently under severe strain due to the widespread nature of the Kinzhal/Iskander strike and confirmation of utility loss in major centers. Rapid, transparent communication regarding reserve survival and successful logistical contingency activation is vital to stabilize morale.


5. PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS (Future Operations)

A. Most Likely Enemy Courses of Action (MLCOA)

(HIGH CONFIDENCE) The RF 37th GMRB MLD launches NLT 070600Z DEC 25 at Stepnohorsk. Logistics-constrained UAF forward defenses hold Phase Line ALPHA briefly but are unable to sustain deep resistance due to Class V (Ammunition) shortages from the Fastiv/Kremenchuk severance. RF achieves a 5-7 km penetration, establishing tactical supremacy in the initial breach sector.

B. Most Dangerous Enemy Courses of Action (MDCOA)

(CRITICAL/EXISTENTIAL) RF ISR detects the exposed BRAVO-BLOCK reserve column during the temporary AD lull. RF allocates remaining Iskander reserves (or long-range aviation strikes from Crimea) to achieve catastrophic attrition (>50% BDA) on the clustered maneuver elements. Concurrently, the 37th GMRB MLD launches, facing minimal operational counter-attack capability, leading to a deep 10-15 km penetration and operational collapse of the Southern Front within T+72 hours.

C. Timeline Estimates and Decision Points

The focus shifts entirely to ensuring reserve survival and initiating logistical recovery prior to the MLD launch.

Decision PointEvent TriggerTime EstimateStatus
D+0/H+1 (BDA Verification)Confirmed BDA of Kremenchuk utility loss.070003Z DECCLOSED (CONFIRMED)
D+0/H+2 (Reserve Location Confirmation)Definitive, secure confirmation of BRAVO-BLOCK exact location, dispersal status, and ongoing movement vector.NLT 070130Z DECCRITICAL / P1 REQUIREMENT
D+0/H+5 (MLD Launch)Initiation of RF 37th GMRB ground assault at Stepnohorsk.NLT 070600Z DECIMMINENT

6. INTELLIGENCE GAPS AND COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS

PriorityGap DescriptionCollection Requirement (CR)Confidence Assessment
PRIORITY 1 (MANEUVER - EXISTENTIAL):Absolute, confirmed status and location of the BRAVO-BLOCK reserve. Are they dispersed and moving?HUMINT/SIGINT/ISR: Dedicated SAR/GEOINT orbit over known assembly areas and primary access routes. Secure report from maneuver commander NLT 070130Z.HIGH
PRIORITY 2 (RF MLD POSTURE):Confirmation of RF 37th GMRB final assembly and line of departure status. Has their formation changed in the past 6 hours?ISR/GEOINT: High-resolution imagery of Stepnohorsk assembly areas and forward concentration points.HIGH
PRIORITY 3 (RF KINETIC INTENT):Identification of targets intended for ballistic launches originating from Crimea. Are these C2, AD, or forward staging bases?ELINT/COMINT: Increased monitoring of RF Southern Military District launch signatures and trajectory analysis to predict target area (Odesa, Vinnytsia).MEDIUM

7. ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS

The temporary AD lull provides a crucial operational window. All actions must prioritize the operational reserve and contingency logistics before the MLD launches (H+5).

  1. OPERATIONAL MANEUVER & FIRES (J3/J6): EXECUTE RESERVE DISPERSAL AND MFP.

    • Action A (Reserve Movement - IMMEDIATE/EXISTENTIAL): CONFIRM HARD CEASE ON STATIC STAGING. Commander-in-Chief must ensure BRAVO-BLOCK is executing maximum speed and dispersal protocols along tertiary axes, utilizing the temporary lull in high-speed kinetic threats. EW coverage (Bukovel-AD) is non-negotiable for the vanguard.
    • Action B (AD Reallocation - CRITICAL): Divert all available Mobile Air Defense (MFP assets - e.g., OSA, Strela, Gepard) away from static site protection (Kremenchuk) and dedicate them exclusively to providing point defense for the moving BRAVO-BLOCK column.
  2. LOGISTICS AND SUSTAINMENT (J4): FORMALIZE WESTERN LOGISTICAL CORRIDOR.

    • Action A (Red Route Activation - MANDATORY): Formally designate the central logistical axis (Fastiv/Kremenchuk) as Level 5 Severance. Full operational reliance must be placed on the Lviv-Zviahel-Dnipro Western corridor. Begin immediate contingency fueling and re-supply for forward defenses (Stepnohorsk) based on expected shortages.
    • Action B (Infrastructure Protection): Immediately deploy UAF engineering and light AD assets to protect the newly critical Western rail corridor hubs (e.g., Zviahel/Dnipro) against follow-on RF deep strikes targeting the newly established logistical bypass.
  3. STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS (P7/G2): COUNTER STRIKE NARRATIVE.

    • Action A (Kinetic Counter-Narrative - IMMEDIATE): UAF Spokesperson must immediately address the confirmed utility BDA at Kremenchuk, framing the infrastructure damage as an act of desperation designed to cover RF ground force weakness and inability to defeat maneuver elements. Emphasize that the massive cost of the Kinzhal strikes failed to stop the flow of aid or the movement of reserves (if confirmed).
    • Action B (Diplomatic Reassurance): Reassure international partners that logistical contingencies are fully active, countering the RF narrative of operational paralysis.

//END OF REPORT//

Previous (2025-12-07 00:04:30Z)

We only use optional analytics cookies if you allow them. Necessary cookies stay on for sign-in and site security.

Learn more in our Privacy Policy.