There have been quite a few leaks on the internet confidential documents by the government of USA and according to the international media, fears are expressed about Ukraine, as well as that strikes may be attempted in Russia.
As reported by the Reuters agency, the Pentagon considers the disclosure of these confidential documents to be a “very serious risk” to American national security, and the Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into the matter.
The authenticity of the photos, which are circulating on various websites, has not yet been publicly confirmed by the authorities, nor has it been verified by other sources.
Here is a summary of the content in some of these documents:
Account of the war in Ukraine
One of the documents takes stock of the war in Ukraine until March 1, 2023, a year after the fighting began. Based on US Department of Defense Intelligence estimates, Russian casualties ranged from 189,500-223,000 men – of these 35,500-43,000 were killed in action and 154,000-180,000 were wounded.
On the Ukrainian side, the dead are estimated to be between 15,500-17,500 and the wounded 109,000-113,500.
These numbers are almost ten times higher than any tally Russia and Ukraine have announced to date.
Moscow has reportedly lost more than 150 aircraft and helicopters, compared to 90 for Kiev.
Another “version” of the document, apparently redacted, instead states that Ukrainian casualties are greater than Russian ones, which appears to confirm Pentagon fears that the leak could potentially fuel disinformation.
Lack of anti-aircraft missiles
Two documents dated February 28 refer to the alarming state of Ukraine’s air defenses, which until now have played a critical role in fending off Russian airstrikes, preventing Moscow from bringing its airspace under its control.
Kiev’s ability to maintain medium-range air defenses to protect its front line “will be zeroed out by May 23,” one of the documents said.
Almost 90% of Ukraine’s medium- and long-range air defenses are essentially based on the Soviet-made SA-11 and SA-10 systems, which may run out of ammunition in late March and early May respectively.
Drone strikes in Russia under review
According to an undated document, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his frustration to his now-highest-ranking general because the Ukrainian military lacks long-range missiles that could hit enemy forces directly on Russian soil. He is reported to have suggested, in late February, that such drone strikes be carried out.
This information seems to suggest that Washington was monitoring a close partner. They may also partly explain US reticence about Kiev’s request to send longer-range weapons. However, American reluctance predates Zelensky’s conversation with his general.
Demonstrations in Israel
Another document, also undated, says that the leadership of the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, encouraged both members of the agency and ordinary citizens to protest against the controversial reform of the judicial system in Israel.
The source of this information – the interception of electronic communications – appears to indicate that US agencies were spying on an allied country.
Concern over South Korean munitions
South Korea’s National Security Council was concerned that the US would transfer to Kiev some munitions it had requested from Seoul. Doing so would run counter to South Korea’s expressed will not to hand over lethal weapons to Ukraine, according to a document citing a March 1 conversation between two South Korean officials.
This revelation also seems to suggest that Washington was spying on a close ally. South Korea’s opposition today called for an investigation, but President Yun Suk-yeol’s office responded that the wiretapping allegations were “absurd lies.”
Reconnaissance flights in the Black Sea
A document dated February 27 refers to reconnaissance flights in the Black Sea by aircraft (manned and unmanned) of the US, Britain, France and other NATO member countries from late September to late February.
About two weeks after this was written, Washington accused the Russian military of intercepting a US MQ-9 Reaper drone in the Black Sea, which Moscow denied.
Source: News Beast
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