Nightwatch

Situation Update (2026-01-31T01:32Z)

TACTICAL AVIATION ALERT - EASTERN SECTOR (01:29Z, UAF Air Force, HIGH): Hostile tactical aircraft active; likely preparing for KAB (glide bomb) strikes or SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) operations.
TACTICAL AVIATION ALERT - NORTH-EASTERN SECTOR (01:26Z, UAF Air Force, HIGH): Confirmed activity of Russian tactical aviation on the NE axis, coinciding with the previously reported UAV ingress.
INFORMATION BLOCKADE - KHERSON TOT (01:03Z, RBK-UA, HIGH): Russian occupation forces have systematically blocked all Ukrainian television broadcasting in Temporarily Occupied Territories (TOT) of Kherson, tightening the regional cognitive envelope.
STRATEGIC DECEPTION - ARMS CONTROL NARRATIVE (01:03Z, TASS, MEDIUM): Russian state media is amplifying Western op-eds regarding the "New START" treaty, likely intended to distract from kinetic escalations and project a false image of strategic stability.

1. Northern/North-Eastern Sector (Chernihiv/Sumy/Kharkiv):

Battlefield Geometry: The UAV previously detected west of Mena (00:54Z) is now likely being used in coordination with tactical aviation reported at 01:26Z.
Analysis: This dual-threat profile (UAV + Tactical Air) suggests a high-probability "Strike-and-Observe" mission. Tactical aircraft (likely Su-34/Su-35) may be targeting UAF radar nodes or mobile fire groups (MFGs) that revealed themselves during the earlier UAV transit.

2. Eastern Sector (Donbas/Luhansk):

Status: New aviation activity at 01:29Z adds to the existing threat from fiber-optic "Rubicon" FPV drones.
Force Disposition: High-intensity tactical air activity indicates a potential softening of the front line before ground-based maneuver units attempt to capitalize on recent tactical gains.

3. Southern Sector (Kherson/Zaporizhzhia):

Information Domain: The total blockade of Ukrainian TV in Kherson (01:03Z) is an operational security measure by the enemy. By blinding the local population, the RU command aims to prevent the reporting of troop movements and reduce the effectiveness of local resistance coordination.
Status: Kinetic activity remains low following the 00:39Z alert termination, but the regional posture is "defensive-alert."

Tactical Shift: The transition from isolated loitering munition (LM) ingress to coordinated tactical aviation alerts across two sectors (NE and E) within 3 minutes (01:26Z–01:29Z) indicates a synchronized phase of the offensive operation.
Capabilities: Russia is utilizing a mix of kinetic (KAB/UAV) and non-kinetic (Information Blockade) tools. The high GRAU activity score (30.36) remains the primary indicator of a looming large-scale missile event.
Intentions: The current aviation activity is likely "shaping the battlefield"—neutralizing UAF air defense sensors and local observation to create a corridor for the anticipated 02:00-05:00 missile wave.

Air Defense Posture: UAF Air Force is actively tracking multiple threats. Mobile Fire Groups (MFGs) are likely being repositioned to avoid counter-battery or tactical air strikes following the Mena UAV ingress.
Counter-Information: Efforts to bypass the Kherson TV blockade via satellite or digital means are ongoing but restricted by RU electronic warfare (EW).

Kherson Blockade: This is a critical indicator of RU "clearing operations" or significant logistical movements in the TOT that they wish to keep hidden.
Strategic Narrative: The promotion of "New START" benefits via TASS is a classic hybrid warfare tactic—using international treaty discourse to mask immediate tactical aggression on the ground.

Most Likely Course of Action (MLCOA): Integrated strike commencing between 02:00 and 05:00 UTC. This will likely involve a combination of Shahed-type UAVs to soak up AD magazines, followed by Kh-101/555 cruise missiles targeting the energy grid and transport hubs.
Most Dangerous Course of Action (MDCOA): Tactical aviation in the NE and E sectors begins suppressing UAF frontline AD, followed by a sudden airborne or mechanized thrust in a localized sector (e.g., Kupiansk), supported by a massive "blackout" missile strike on the rear.

[CRITICAL] Identification of specific airframes involved in the 01:26Z and 01:29Z alerts (e.g., Su-34 carrying KABs vs. Su-35 with Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles).
[HIGH] SIGINT on RU ground-to-air communications in the Kherson sector to determine if the TV blockade is masking a specific troop rotation.
[MEDIUM] Confirmation of "Rubicon" unit locations in the Eastern sector to provide early warning for UAF fuel and logistics convoys.

//REPORT ENDS//