Classified military documents detailing secret US and NATO plans to build up the Ukrainian army ahead of a planned counteroffensive were posted on social media this week, The New York Times reported on April 6, 2023.
Maps and charts
The documents, which appeared on Twitter and Telegram, include maps of Ukraine and charts showing troop concentrations and available weapons, NPR reported. One page, labelled “Top Secret,” is titled “Status of the Conflict as of 1 March.”
The documents do not reveal Ukraine’s specific battle plans for its expected spring offensive, but they refer to combat brigades being assembled and when they are expected to be ready.
Pentagon reviewing
“We are aware of the reports of social media posts and the department is reviewing the matter,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said.
Altered figures
Military analysts said the documents appeared genuine but that some parts had likely been altered. One chart put Ukrainian deaths at about 71,000, a plausible figure, but listed Russian fatalities at 16,000 to 17,500, which is believed to be far lower than the real toll.
The identity and motives of whoever posted the documents were not known, and it was unclear how useful the information would be to the Russian military.
Sources
Image note: The featured image was generated by AI based on the content of this article. It is an illustration, not an actual photograph of the people, places or events described.
