In the past two Fridays, Reuters reported, citing knowledge from US officials, that Russia or pro-Russian elements are likely behind the leak of several classified US military documents posted on social media. These documents provide a partial, month-old snapshot of the conflict in Ukraine. Three US officials confirmed this information to Reuters, while the Justice Department separately announced an investigation into the leak.
We compared the leaked map, which is closer to reality, to the map in our report with our best effort. It's surprising that the details of both maps are very similar.
The leaked documents primarily relate to the Russo-Ukrainian War but also include foreign intelligence assessments concerning nations such as North Korea, China, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. The alleged source of the leak, a low-level technician in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, shared hundreds of top-secret military intelligence documents online. However, discussions around this case have been relatively muted, with few mentions of treason and only occasional whispers of whistleblowing.
The reactions and language differ this time, even though the underlying crime remains the same. Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old technician, was charged on Friday with taking and transmitting secret defense information and with willfully retaining classified documents. The apparent motives and methods behind these actions stem from distinct subcultures within American society, which may explain the difference in public response.
Teixeira allegedly photographed printouts of the documents at his parents' home in Dighton, Massachusetts, and posted them on the instant messaging platform Discord on a server named "Thug Shaker Central." A subset of the documents was sent to Discord servers for a British-Filipino YouTuber and the sandbox video game Minecraft in late February and early March. In April, a 4chan user posted several documents on the website's political imageboard /pol/. The documents then spread throughout pro-Russian Telegram channels; at least one image was altered to show more Ukrainian casualties than Russian casualties.
The Affidavit
FBI Special Agent Patrick M. Lueckenhoff submitted an affidavit, a written statement made under oath, typically used as evidence in a legal proceeding, in support of an application for a criminal complaint and arrest warrant for an individual named Teixeira. The affidavit alleges that Teixeira committed violations of 18 U.S.C. Sections 793(b) and (d), and 18 U.S.C. Section 1924 by searching for classified reporting regarding the US Intelligence Community's assessment of the identity of the individual who transmitted classified national defense information.
According to the affidavit, Lueckenhoff is a trained counterintelligence and espionage investigator who has conducted or participated in witness and subject interviews, service of subpoenas, execution of search and arrest warrants, physical surveillance, seizure of evidence including computer, electronic, and email evidence, and requested and reviewed pertinent records. The affidavit states that based on Lueckenhoff's experience and training, he is familiar with the requirements for handling classified documents and information. He is also familiar with methods used by individuals engaged in the unlawful use or disclosure of classified information. The FBI respectfully requests that the court issue an arrest warrant for Teixeira based on probable cause established by the facts set forth in this affidavit. This case highlights the importance of protecting classified national defense information from unauthorized disclosure or use. The FBI takes such violations seriously and will pursue legal action against those who commit them.
What is revealed in the leaked document over the war in Ukraine?
One set of documents reference the Battle of Bakhmut, outlining Russian maneuvers near Bakhmut, Ukrainian military response discussions, and local supply shortages. An intelligence report from February 25 reveals that Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut were close to being surrounded, and a high-ranking Ukrainian official commented on the low morale of their soldiers. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's military intelligence, referred to the situation as "disastrous" and suggested deploying elite troops to protect the sole supply line and avert encirclement. The reinforcements, which included elite units, ultimately prevented encirclement but came at the expense of depleting experienced forces that might have been held in reserve for a spring counterattack. The documents also contain information on military resources provided by the US to Ukraine, alleged Pentagon estimates of Russian and Ukrainian casualties, and supposed details of Ukraine's planned counteroffensive. A number of documents present "low confidence" casualty estimates, with the US projecting 189,500 to 223,000 Russian casualties and 124,500 to 131,000 Ukrainian casualties. One document also indicates that the Armed Forces of Ukraine suffered between 15,500 and 17,500 fatalities, while the Russian Armed Forces experienced between 35,500 and 43,000. Contrary to earlier information, the leaked 2023 Pentagon documents from April 7 revealed a significantly higher toll for Ukrainian forces than previously estimated, indicating that 16,000 to 17,500 Russian military personnel and a purported 71,500 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed.
The documents also claim that the Spetsnaz GRU has incurred substantial casualties due to the unit's involvement in the conflict. In a top-secret document, the Russian General Staff's strategies to counter NATO-supplied tanks are outlined, with one plan proposing monetary rewards for Russian soldiers who destroy NATO tanks. The documents also demonstrate US knowledge of Russian military planning, such as intentions to destroy a drone hangar near Odesa. One document reports that a Russian fighter jet came close to shooting down a British surveillance aircraft off Crimea's coast. The event, labeled a "near-shootdown" of a UK Rivet Joint, a term for a Boeing RC-135 variant, occurred in September 2022. Ben Wallace, the UK Secretary of State for Defence, disclosed the incident to the House of Commons in October, identifying two Sukhoi Su-27 jets as having flown "recklessly" and one firing a missile at the Rivet Joint; Wallace believed the firing was due to technical issues. Under the North Atlantic Treaty, such an attack could have elicited a broader NATO response if the missile had struck the aircraft. This document, marked as classified for non-US citizens, was among others detailing Russian fighter jet encounters with foreign aircraft, including the 2023 Black Sea drone incident. The document reveals that French and British aircraft conducted crewed reconnaissance flights between the near-shootdown and February 26, 2023. Subsequently, two US defense officials said that the Russian fighter jet's pilot misinterpreted commands from a radar operator. The documents imply that Ukraine's air defenses against aircraft, primarily comprising S-300 and Buk missile systems, will be exhausted by May. Several documents mention Ukraine using weapons inside Russia, with President Zelenskyy proposing the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to strike targets in the Rostov Oblast in late February. Another document suggests that China might increase support to Russia if Ukraine attacked within Russia. The documents also revealed LAPIS, an advanced satellite system utilized by the Ukrainian military, and outlined a proposed "Combat Power Build" consisting of nine planned brigades supplied by the United States and allied partners.
Potential conflict in Indo-Pacific
In other sections of the leaked documents, the surveillance of the US over several key allies is mentioned, which has predictably sparked a diplomatic crisis between the United States and the Five Eyes. However, another crucial aspect, from our perspective, relates to the potential conflict between the US and China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Analyses of risks posed by China appear throughout the documents. One assessment suggests that NATO-provided weaponry could draw China into the conflict. Other documents highlight perceived inadequacies in Taiwan's defenses, while another overview discusses a test of the DF-27, a ballistic missile belonging to the Dongfeng family, which is believed to have a "high probability" of penetrating US ballistic missile defense systems. An assessment by the US intelligence community indicates that China is likely developing cyber-attack capabilities to "deny, exploit, and hijack" Western satellites. A portion of the documents details a potential deployment of British naval aircraft carriers in the Indo-Pacific region and the differing visions of Indo-Pacific (Counter-PRC) policies between the Conservative and Labour parties. Additional information in the leaked documents includes Chinese investments in a Nicaraguan deep-sea port, Chinese complaints about the exclusion of Huawei from Jordanian 5G bidding, a satellite rocket launch in March, the commissioning of a new Yushen-class landing helicopter dock, Chinese Hikvision surveillance equipment in DoD supply chains, and instructions for Chinese foreign affairs officials regarding the high-altitude balloon incident.
The Phenomenon
The phenomenon of sharing detailed information within online groups of like-minded individuals, while often remaining anonymous, has been described as "tribing." This concept suggests that individuals form strong connections based on shared interests, such as gun enthusiasm, gender, or ethnicity, and are fiercely loyal to their group. Tribing is prevalent across all age groups and political affiliations, as people increasingly form close bonds with others online. The digital era has enabled individuals to establish trust based on shared beliefs, even when their only connection is through a username or avatar. The pandemic has further amplified this trend, as people of all ages turned to the internet for connection and camaraderie.
The leaked documents provide a deeper understanding of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the potential tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. The casualty numbers revealed in the leaks offer a more realistic picture of the situation, as they were intended for intelligence purposes rather than propaganda. This leak highlights the risks associated with emerging subcultures among younger generations, who may be more prone to sharing sensitive information due to their online affiliations and loyalties. As a result, it raises concerns about the protection of critical military intelligence and the potential consequences of such information being disclosed to the public or adversaries. The situation serves as a reminder of the need for enhanced security measures to safeguard classified information in the digital age.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the leaked military documents reveal crucial details about the conflicts in Ukraine and potential tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, while also highlighting the risks associated with emerging digital subcultures and online group loyalties among younger generations. These leaks demonstrate the vulnerabilities in safeguarding sensitive information in an increasingly interconnected world. It is imperative for governments and military organizations to adopt stringent security measures to prevent future leaks and mitigate potential consequences arising from the unauthorized disclosure of classified information. Additionally, addressing the influence of online subcultures on the younger generation may be crucial in ensuring the protection of vital military intelligence in the future.
It is noteworthy that at Geopolitics.Asia, the quality of intelligence is categorized into seven levels, ranging from L1, which represents general briefs and information gathering on pivotal events, to L7, which is indicative of military-grade intelligence capable of detecting or predicting double agent clandestine operations. The leaked documents demonstrate that achieving L3 intelligence through open-source intelligence (OSINT) is feasible, as evidenced by the alignment of our several previous reports with the information found in these leaks.
At Geopolitics.Asia, the goal is to enhance the quality and precision of intelligence at levels L4 to L6, which requires a significant investment in resources, including capital, human intelligence, and access to exclusive high-level information. However, achieving L7 intelligence is a highly challenging and complex endeavor, unlikely to be attainable by civilian geopolitical intelligence units.
The insights gained from these leaks emphasize the importance of a comprehensive understanding of global events, utilizing a combination of OSINT, domestic sources, and human intelligence to provide reliable and well-rounded analysis. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and complex, the value of accurate, verified intelligence cannot be overstated, and it is crucial for entities such as Geopolitics.Asia to continue refining their capabilities and strive for higher levels of intelligence quality.