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

Situation Report

Archived operational intelligence briefing

Report Time
2025-12-10 15:00:24Z
2 months ago
Previous (2025-12-10 14:43:00Z)

INTELLIGENCE SITUATION REPORT (ISR) - OPERATIONAL LEVEL

TIME: 101800Z DEC 25

1. SITUATION OVERVIEW

1.1 Battlefield Geometry and Key Terrain

The operational center of gravity remains fixed on the Donetsk Axis, specifically the defense of the Pokrovsk Urban Built-up Area (UBA) and the attritional battle for Siversk, intended by RF forces to fix UAF reserves. Key terrain is being defined by environmental factors in the Kharkiv sector, where the structural integrity of the Pechenihy Dam (CRITICAL THREAT) dictates UAF logistics and C2 resilience.

  • Donetsk: RF kinetic pressure continues, aimed at forcing a UAF operational withdrawal or committing fragmentation of the "BRAVO-BLOCK" reserve.
  • Kupiansk: Remains a high-density UAS/UXO contamination zone, constraining UAF offensive maneuver capacity.
  • Deep Rear: RF deep strikes are focused on degrading UAF logistics distribution points (LDPs) and Command Posts (CPs) in Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts, following the high-priority Counter-Intelligence (CI) breach (Kuzmuk).

1.2 Weather and Environmental Factors Affecting Operations

Weather is seasonal (early winter conditions). The critical non-kinetic factor is the potential for catastrophic failure of the Pechenihy Dam, which would induce widespread flooding, compromising pontoon bridges and defensive earthworks in the Kharkiv sector. No new engineering data has been obtained (Intelligence Gap HIGH).

1.3 Current Force Dispositions and Control Measures

UAF is actively engaged in reactive measures:

  1. Hardening Deep Logistics: Shift toward decentralized LDPs, anticipating follow-on strikes.
  2. Maintaining Attritional Defense: High operational tempo maintained by specialized units (e.g., 225 OShP) utilizing drone warfare to inflict high RF casualties. RF forces are concentrating efforts on:
  3. Targeting Operational Depth: Confirming claimed successful deep strikes on UAF C2/Logistics.
  4. Sustaining Fixed Position Pressure: Continued high-attrition assaults on Siversk.
  5. Hydro-Weaponization Threat: Maintaining potential flood risk via the damaged Pechenihy Dam.

2. ENEMY ANALYSIS (RF THREAT ASSESSMENT)

2.1 Enemy Capabilities, Intentions, and Courses of Action

INTENTION: RF intent remains the forced freezing of the conflict along the current Line of Contact (LOC), achieved through synchronized application of deep kinetic strikes, environmental threats, and information warfare pressure ("Korean Model" IO). CAPABILITIES:

  • Deep Strike Resilience (FACT): The brief restriction at Vnukovo Airport (Moscow) suggests UAF deep reconnaissance or strike capability remains a credible nuisance, but RF C2 infrastructure demonstrated rapid recovery and resilience. (Confidence: HIGH)
  • Information Warfare Integration (FACT): RF C2 effectively integrates kinetic action claims (Odesa CP strike) with immediate strategic IO (pushing the DMZ narrative).
  • Internal Morale (JUDGMENT): Low-level friction and morale issues persist within the RF ranks, evidenced by internal military channel chatter criticizing equipment and leadership doctrine (e.g., preference for semi-automatic rifles over older systems; highly critical accounts of "скрепно-упоротый" leadership). This suggests potential localized failures in maintaining unit cohesion during prolonged assaults. (Confidence: MEDIUM)

2.2 Recent Tactical Changes or Adaptations

RF has not introduced new tactical maneuver formations but continues the strategy of leveraging air superiority (KABs) and deep fires to achieve operational paralysis before committing large ground forces. The ongoing internal critique suggests RF may need to adapt small arms doctrine, potentially driving up costs for necessary hardware replacement, or accepting continued low-level tactical inefficiency.

2.3 Logistics and Sustainment Status

RF sustainment remains adequate for ongoing attritional campaigns. The focus on hitting UAF logistics hubs (Dnipropetrovsk/Odesa) indicates sustained prioritization of interdicting NATO materiel flow, confirming RF intelligence assessment of critical UAF supply chains.

2.4 Command and Control Effectiveness

RF C2 remains synchronized operationally, effectively integrating combat and IO streams. However, the confirmed internal security crackdowns (e.g., persecution of critics like Ksenia Garina) suggest RF internal C2 and political control apparatus is under pressure, consuming resources to maintain domestic stability.

3. FRIENDLY FORCES (BLUE FORCE TRACKING)

3.1 Ukrainian Force Posture and Readiness

Force posture is defensively oriented, focused on resilience and localized counter-attacks using high-tech assets. Readiness remains high within specialized and assault units.

  • Specialized Unit Effectiveness (FACT): The 225th Separate Assault Regiment (225 OShP) reports destroying 586 targets in November using UAS, confirming the high lethality and critical role of FPV and drone warfare for UAF in maintaining defensive superiority and inflicting disproportionate casualties on RF infantry and light armor. (Confidence: HIGH)

3.2 Recent Tactical Successes or Setbacks

  • SUCCESSES (FACT): Continued high operational tempo and successful attrition of RF forces via drone warfare. Successful morale boost messaging tied to unit history (Kursk, Bakhmut) and operational capability (UAS deployment). International diplomatic track remains strong (finalizing 20-point plan; potential MiG-29 transfer discussion with Poland).
  • SETBACKS (JUDGMENT): The ongoing operational constraint caused by the Kuzmuk CI breach and the failure to secure structural data on the Pechenihy Dam severely restrict long-term planning. The fragmentation of the "BRAVO-BLOCK" reserve remains an unmitigated risk.

3.3 Resource Requirements and Constraints

  • CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: Immediate allocation of specialized Counter-Intelligence/Security (CIS) teams to execute the "RED PLAN" protocol and sanitize potentially compromised CPs and materiel caches.
  • OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINT: The dependence on volunteer/donor support (225 OShP fundraising) for critical assets like specialized antennas (Avenger) highlights the need for institutionalizing reliable, high-volume funding for drone/counter-drone technologies.

4. INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT (COGNITIVE DOMAIN)

4.1 Propaganda and Disinformation Campaigns

  • RF Objectives: RF State Media aims to present a façade of domestic tranquility (TASS panda story) while simultaneously prosecuting dissent (Ksenia Garina). The primary strategic IO push remains forcing acceptance of a frozen conflict (DMZ/Korean Model).
  • UAF Counter-Messaging: UAF actively counters the "Western Abandonment" narrative through demonstrating robust diplomatic engagement (US coordination, Polish MiG-29 talks) and emphasizing military efficacy and internal integrity (anti-corruption, 225 OShP combat videos).

4.2 Public Sentiment and Morale Factors

UAF frontline morale appears sustained, driven by unit pride, operational successes (UAS kill totals), and the connection between the front and domestic volunteer support. RF internal messaging shows persistent cracks, indicating frustration with equipment and leadership dogma at the tactical level.

4.3 International Support and Diplomatic Developments

Ongoing reports regarding the potential transfer of Polish MiG-29 fighter jets, combined with high-level UAF-US coordination on the 20-point peace plan, indicate continued strong Western commitment. This provides a strategic advantage against RF IO efforts.

5. PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS

5.1 Most Likely Enemy Courses of Action (MLCOA)

RF executes synchronized operational interdiction while exploiting CI failures. (Confidence: HIGH)

  1. Deep Strike Follow-up (NLT 122000Z DEC 25): RF launches follow-on precision strikes (Kalibr/Shahed/KABs) targeting specific, relocated UAF logistics and secondary C2 nodes in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa Oblasts, leveraging compromised intelligence to test the effectiveness of UAF's "RED PLAN" relocation protocol.
  2. Siversk Attrition: RF sustains high-tempo, high-attrition assaults on the Siversk axis over the next 72 hours to prevent UAF reserves (including fragmented BRAVO-BLOCK elements) from being redeployed to the Pokrovsk or Stepnohorsk sectors.
  3. Diplomatic Sabotage: RF state media escalates the "Korean Model" DMZ proposal to maximum visibility globally, aiming to preemptively undercut the finalization of the UAF 20-point peace plan and influence upcoming US diplomatic messaging.

5.2 Most Dangerous Enemy Courses of Action (MDCOA)

RF achieves temporary operational collapse via synergistic attack across domains. (Confidence: MEDIUM)

  1. Dam Catastrophe & Breach: The Pechenihy Dam suffers catastrophic structural failure due to RF deep strike or sabotage, washing out UAF defensive lines and logistics corridors in Kharkiv Oblast. This humanitarian crisis forces the immediate commitment of UAF reserves (including the BRAVO-BLOCK fragments) to civilian evacuation and flood mitigation, enabling RF forces to achieve a decisive breakthrough on the Pokrovsk-Stepnohorsk front.
  2. Stepnohorsk Encirclement: The 38th GMRB accelerates its flanking maneuver unhindered by UAF reserves, achieving total operational encirclement of the Stepnohorsk salient NLT 130600Z DEC 25, forcing a chaotic UAF withdrawal and loss of key observation posts.

5.3 Timeline Estimates and Decision Points

EventEstimated TimelineDecision Point
RF Test of "RED PLAN" C2/LDP RelocationNLT 48 HoursDecision to activate Stage 3 Logistics Decentralization if strikes confirm ongoing exploitation.
Completion of UAF CI Redundancy MeasuresNLT 72 HoursDecision to release sanitized UAF movement orders/deployments following CI sign-off.
RF Escalation of "Korean Model" NarrativeNLT 96 HoursDecision to conduct a high-level public diplomacy engagement (Presidential address/UN briefing) to forcefully present the 20-point plan as the sole acceptable framework.

ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS

COMMAND PRIORITY: COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE AND CRITICAL LOGISTICS RESILIENCE

CategoryActionPriorityExecution Order
COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE (J2)COMPLETE "RED PLAN" AUDIT. J2 must confirm the physical and electronic relocation of all Tier 1 and Tier 2 TrO Command Posts (CPs) and high-value caches known to the dismissed leadership. All non-essential electronic signatures must be silenced or relocated immediately.CRITICAL1
LOGISTICS (J4)IMPLEMENT STAGE 3 LDP DECENTRALIZATION. Assume all major fixed logistics nodes (rail yards, large warehouses) in Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa Oblasts are soft targets. Shift 75% of high-value materiel (munitions, fuel) to road transport, utilizing small, temporary, distributed LDPs with mobile SHORAD protection.CRITICAL2
ENGINEERING/AD (J3/Eng)PECHENIHY DAM MITIGATION. Reallocate engineering reconnaissance and mobile AD assets immediately to the Pechenihy area. Priority: Obtain BDA on structural integrity (CRITICAL GAP) and preposition earth-moving assets for emergency diversion channels, anticipating MDCOA.URGENT3
OPERATIONAL MANEUVER (J3)BRAVO-BLOCK DISPERSAL PROTOCOL. Given fragmentation, officially designate "BRAVO-BLOCK" as a flexible reserve pool. Allocate 60% of its residual strength to reinforce the Stepnohorsk axis holding actions against the 38th GMRB flanking maneuver.URGENT4
STRATCOM (P7)HIGHLIGHT RF MORALE ISSUES. Leverage captured/leaked RF internal communications (e.g., equipment criticism, conscript complaints) to generate targeted IO campaigns aimed at degrading RF frontline combat effectiveness and foreign recruiting efforts.MEDIUM5

INTELLIGENCE GAPS AND COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS (CR)

CR PriorityIntelligence GapTarget/AreaCollection Task
HIGHStructural Integrity and Time-to-Failure of Pechenihy Dam following strike.Pechenihy Dam, Kharkiv OblastPriority IMINT/SAR tasking for engineering assessment (J2/J3).
HIGHSpecific operational targets and BDA verification for claimed RF strikes on UAF C2/LDPs in Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk.Claimed Strike Locations (Odesa/Dnipropetrovsk)URGENT HUMINT/OSINT/IMINT BDA required to confirm successful C2 degradation.
MEDIUMDetailed inventory of the 38th GMRB's current maneuver element strength and trajectory (Stepnohorsk encirclement).Huliaipole/Stepnohorsk AxisIncreased Persistent Aerial Reconnaissance (PAR) and HUMINT probing.
LOWPotential for follow-on military hardware transfers (MiG-29) from Poland.Warsaw/NATO Liaison ChannelsDiplomatic/Liaison reporting confirmation.
Previous (2025-12-10 14:43:00Z)

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.