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

Situation Report

Archived operational intelligence briefing

Report Time
2025-12-12 15:00:24Z
2 months ago
Previous (2025-12-12 14:49:58Z)

MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SITUATION REPORT (SITREP)

OP AREA: Eastern Ukraine / Donbas Strategic Theater DTG: 121800Z DEC 25 (Update 03 Hours since last SITREP) PERIMETER CODE: RED (Immediate Operational Threat)


1. SITUATION OVERVIEW (SITREP)

A. Battlefield Geometry and Key Terrain

(HIGH CONFIDENCE) The operational situation has entered a crisis phase defined by the dual-axis pincer threat to the Slovyansk-Kramatorsk Defensive Hub.

  • Northern Donetsk Axis: Confirmed loss of Siversk allows the RF 3rd Army to exploit the breach and push toward the northern flanks of Slovyansk. This breach necessitates the establishment of a hardened secondary defensive line immediately west of the former contact zone.
  • Southern Donetsk Axis: RF forces are engaged in urban combat within Konstantinovka (45% RF control claimed). The advance maintains pressure, aiming to link up with the northern thrust and complete the operational isolation of Kramatorsk.
  • Kupyansk Sector (Stabilized): The high-level visit by the President and CinC to the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade confirms UAF stabilization efforts and high-level attention on the Northern operational flank, mitigating immediate risk of collapse in this sector.

B. Weather and Environmental Factors affecting Operations

(MEDIUM CONFIDENCE) Conditions remain cold. Ground stability may temporarily favor tracked vehicle movement off-road in sectors where UAF defensive fires have been suppressed. Precipitation is low.

C. Current Force Dispositions and Control Measures

(HIGH CONFIDENCE) UAF forces are executing a high-risk redistribution of strategic reserves to block the pincer's inward trajectory, particularly reinforcing the immediate approaches to Slovyansk. RF forces are actively prepositioning logistics assets in anticipation of the arrival of the 260th GRAU ordnance.


2. ENEMY ANALYSIS (RED CELL)

A. Enemy Capabilities, Intentions, and Courses of Action

(HIGH CONFIDENCE)

  • Primary Intent: RF forces intend to capitalize on the dual breakthrough (Siversk/Konstantinovka) using massive artillery saturation, achieving the operational isolation of Kramatorsk NLT 150000Z DEC.
  • Attrition Focus (Confirmed): The 40th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade, Baikal Group, continues to demonstrate high-proficiency FPV drone usage, specifically targeting UAF maneuver elements and supply lines. This is validated by recent propaganda releases showcasing tactical destruction of armored fighting vehicles (AFVs).
  • Hybrid Warfare: RF deep strikes continue to target international logistics. Confirmed identification of the struck Odesa vessel as belonging to the Turkish Cenk Ro-Ro Group elevates the attack from general port infrastructure to explicit commercial interdiction, maximizing diplomatic pressure ahead of Rammstein.

B. Recent Tactical Changes or Adaptations

(HIGH CONFIDENCE)

  • Homeland Defense Stability: The reported cancellation of the "yellow level" threat alert in Udmurtia signals that RF internal air defense resources, temporarily diverted due to UAF deep strikes (Caspian Sea platform), are now back in a stable posture, potentially releasing fixed-wing or tactical air defense back toward the front.
  • Information Control Tightening: The blocking of Western social applications (FaceTime, Snapchat, Roblox) suggests RF C2 is attempting to restrict internal information flow and mitigate counter-IO or internal security risks in advance of potential future escalations.

C. Logistics and Sustainment Status

(CRITICAL CONFIDENCE)

  • 260th GRAU Cargo: FACT: SAR data confirms the massed artillery ordnance has departed the depot (SAR Score 0.00). JUDGEMENT: The cargo is currently mobile, likely en route via rail to Volnovakha/Ilovaisk, and is expected to reach forward distribution points NLT 130000Z DEC. This is the single most critical threat to UAF defenses in the next 24 hours. The window for deep interdiction is closing rapidly.

D. Command and Control Effectiveness

(HIGH CONFIDENCE) RF strategic C2 remains synchronized, linking decisive military action (Donetsk offensive, logistics surge) with kinetic attacks designed for diplomatic leverage (Odesa, Rammstein). The integration of highly professional FPV groups (Baikal) demonstrates robust, decentralized tactical command capacity.


3. FRIENDLY FORCES (BLUE FORCE TRACKING)

A. Ukrainian Force Posture and Readiness

(HIGH CONFIDENCE) UAF posture is defensive and reactive to the pincer threat. Readiness is constrained by the need to immediately integrate and manage the high-friction policy of assigning Unauthorized Absence (SZCh) personnel directly to assault units while maintaining disciplined retreat and establishing new defensive lines around Slovyansk.

B. Recent Tactical Successes or Setbacks

(HIGH CONFIDENCE)

  • Successes: Successfully held and stabilized the Kupyansk sector; high-level leadership visit (Zelenskyy/Syrskyi) provided a critical morale injection and positive IO optics. Deep strike capability continues to force RF internal resource diversion.
  • Setbacks: Confirmed loss of Siversk; confirmed urban penetration in Konstantinovka; confirmed kinetic damage to internationally flagged commercial vessel in Odesa.

C. Resource Requirements and Constraints

(HIGH CONFIDENCE)

  1. Anti-Artillery/Deep Strike: Immediate execution authority and targeting data to destroy the 260th GRAU rail cargo before dispersion.
  2. Air Defense: Urgent need for counter-KAB/ballistic missile defense systems, particularly for the Slovyansk/Kramatorsk command and logistics nodes.
  3. Manpower Stabilization: Resources dedicated to managing the disciplinary and morale risks associated with the SZCh integration policy.

4. INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT (IO)

A. Propaganda and Disinformation Campaigns

(HIGH CONFIDENCE) RF IO is exploiting two vectors:

  1. Tactical Superiority: Highlighting the proficiency of FPV units (Baikal Group) to demoralize UAF tactical units and project technological dominance.
  2. Economic Coercion: Using the targeted destruction of the Turkish vessel (Cenk Ro-Ro Group) to amplify the risk profile for all commercial maritime activity in the Black Sea, maximizing pressure on international insurers and supply chains prior to Rammstein (16 DEC).

B. Public Sentiment and Morale Factors

(HIGH CONFIDENCE) UAF morale has received a verified boost from the high-visibility leadership visit to the Kupyansk front, temporarily counteracting the internal friction generated by the manpower redistribution policy (SZCh). RF internal control over information is tightening, potentially indicating preparation for future kinetic or political announcements.

C. International Support and Diplomatic Developments

(HIGH CONFIDENCE) The kinetic action against the Turkish-owned vessel is a direct diplomatic signal intended to undermine the effectiveness of the upcoming Rammstein meeting and test NATO/EU resolve regarding Black Sea transit guarantees. The RF commitment to the "DMZ Sovereignty" narrative indicates the absence of an immediate diplomatic off-ramp.


5. PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS (FUTURE OPERATIONS)

A. Most Likely Enemy Courses of Action (MLCOA)

(HIGH CONFIDENCE)

  1. GRAU Execution: Artillery preparatory fires, leveraging the 260th GRAU ordnance, will commence NLT 130000Z DEC, targeting UAF pre-positioned defenses and C2 nodes in the Kramatorsk and Slovyansk approaches.
  2. Converging Pincer: RF mechanized forces will utilize the fire superiority and KAB air support to aggressively advance on both the northern (Siversk) and southern (Konstantinovka) axes, aiming to isolate the two cities by 140000Z DEC.
  3. Hybrid Attrition: FPV and loitering munitions, potentially guided by the civilian-based repeater network (P2), will be utilized to surgically destroy UAF reserve and C2 elements attempting to redeploy or reinforce.

B. Most Dangerous Enemy Courses of Action (MDCOA)

(HIGH CONFIDENCE) RF successfully masks the final transit point of the 260th GRAU cargo, preventing UAF interdiction. Massive saturation fire collapses UAF forward defenses simultaneously across both the Siversk and Konstantinovka axes. This synchronization enables a rapid, mechanized breakthrough that forces the premature withdrawal of UAF heavy equipment and the operational loss of Kramatorsk NLT 141200Z DEC, compelling a general retreat across the entire Donbas line.

C. Intelligence Gaps and Collection Requirements

PriorityGap/RequirementCollection Task (IMINT/SIGINT/HUMINT)Confidence
P1 (CRITICAL)Real-time 260th GRAU Cargo Location/Rail Status.IMINT/SAR/HUMINT: Continuous focus on rail choke points (Ilovaisk, Volnovakha) and known transshipment hubs.HIGH
P2 (CRITICAL)BDA: Konstantinovka C2 Integrity. Verification of the 45% control claim and location of UAF 3 OSHB rear-guard operations.IMINT/HUMINT: Focused surveillance on urban center C2 nodes and key junction points.MEDIUM
P3 (URGENT)RF 3rd Army Exploitation Vector (Siversk). Determining the speed and strength of RF mechanized units pushing toward Slovyansk.IMINT/SIGINT: Track RF maneuver element movement profiles and C2 chatter west of Siversk.MEDIUM
P4 (URGENT)Civilian-Based Repeater Network Status. Location of hybrid C2 nodes near the front line.SIGINT/EW: Focused high-gain antenna sweeps targeting specific drone control frequencies near populated areas.MEDIUM

6. ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Targeting and Deep Strike (J2/J3 – IMMEDIATE EXECUTION)

  1. EXECUTE P1 INTERDICTION: Immediately authorize and execute a decisive kinetic strike package (SCALP/Storm Shadow) against the validated location of the 260th GRAU cargo once it is confirmed at any fixed rail choke point or distribution hub (Volnovakha/Ilovaisk). This must be the highest priority kinetic task NLT 122200Z DEC.
  2. COUNTER-FPV C2 (P4): Task specialized SSO teams to the Konstantinovka/Slovyansk approaches to actively locate and neutralize hybrid, civilian-based drone repeater nodes using directional jamming/kinetic means. This is necessary to degrade the high-proficiency FPV threat demonstrated by the Baikal Group.

B. Maneuver and Force Protection (OC East – URGENT PRIORITY)

  1. FORTIFY SLOVYANSK NORTH (NEW LINE): Expedite engineering assets and Territorial Defense units to construct fortified lines and mine belts along the critical northern axis protecting Slovyansk following the Siversk loss. Establish pre-planned artillery target grids for interdicting RF 3rd Army exploitation NLT 130600Z DEC.
  2. KRAMATORSK AIR DEFENSE UPLIFT: Immediately relocate one mobile SHORAD battery (e.g., Gepard/Avenger) to Kramatorsk to increase point defense against KABs and counter-ballistic coverage, mitigating the effects of anticipated massive RF preparatory fires.

C. Command and Personnel Management (J1/P7 – URGENT PRIORITY)

  1. STRATCOM RESPONSE (Cenk Ro-Ro Group): Publicly condemn the targeting of Turkish-owned commercial shipping as a deliberate act of economic warfare aimed at the upcoming Rammstein meeting. Engage Turkish diplomatic channels immediately to assure security cooperation efforts.
  2. MANPOWER STABILIZATION: General Staff must issue immediate, direct orders ensuring that units receiving SZCh personnel are provided with additional political officers or specialized instructors to mitigate the high risk of morale contagion or disciplinary breakdown.

//END OF REPORT//

Previous (2025-12-12 14:49:58Z)

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.