Leaked US Documents Shed Light On Some Russia-Ukraine War Secrets

Kyiv has altered its military plans after classified Pentagon documents about the Russia-Ukraine war were leaked on social media platforms, per Reuters.

Ukrainian officials claimed the leaked documents to be Russian disinformation in the Reuters report, while Pentagon officials admitted they are genuine, but have been selectively edited, according to CNN.

Several documents, up to six weeks old, disclose valuable information about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war — about the Bakhmut battle, including data on casualties and weapon deliveries, as well as details of the military approach.

The papers also show that the United States (US) has spied not only on Russia, but also Ukraine, Israel, and South Korea.

Insights from the leaked documents:

– Ukraine's air defence is in peril, as it relies on ageing Soviet-era S-300 and Bulk air defence systems to counter Russia. By May or mid-April (23 May, as per the New York Times' reporting), those systems will be exhausted unless a significant amount of ammunition is provided.

This could allow Russian fighter jets and bombers to potentially sway the battle's outcome in their favour, in the absence of Ukrainian air defences.

– Ukraine narrowly avoided losing the battle of Bakhmut when Russian forces almost surrounded their military in late February.

Bakhmut has been a hot spot for intense fighting for several months.

The Ukrainian forces, supported by elite units, were able to drive out the Russians, but it came at a strategic cost for Ukraine as they were hoping to keep their well-trained soldiers for a counteroffensive in the near future, according to the New York Times.

– The reluctance of the US allies Israel and South Korea to supply arms to Ukraine has come to light. South Korea, for example, was said to be hesitant when asked to provide artillery shells to the US, fearing that they would be used in Ukraine.

Israel has been similarly hesitant to send weapons to Ukraine, opting instead to aid in the development of a custom early-warning system.

– The Russian military is said to have implemented a bonus pay system in an effort to lift their soldiers' spirits. The scheme entails offering financial incentives to soldiers for capturing and demolishing enemy tanks.