Chris Meagher, who is secretary of state in the Pentagon, says that the leaks pose a serious danger to US national security and can contribute to the spread of disinformation, write the news agencies Reuters and AFP. Chris Meagher. Photo: Patrick Semansky / AP Defense Minister Lloyd Austin has spoken to allied governments and informed them about the leaks. Austin has also set up a committee to evaluate the extent of the damage that has been done, and get an overview of who has access to the type of documents that have been leaked. – We do not know who is behind Spokesman for the US National Security Council, John Kirby, says they fear that there may be more leaks. – We do not know who is behind this, and we do not know what the motive is, he says. Spokesman for the US National Security Council, John Kirby. Photo: Patrick Semansky / AP The Pentagon says Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was first informed of the leaks on April 6. At the same time, the committees that handle national security in Congress were informed. The documents appear to be in the same format as the briefings the country’s leaders receive on national security. But some of the leaked documents appear to have been manipulated, according to the Pentagon. The classified intelligence documents that suddenly appeared on the internet a few days ago were, among other things, about intelligence reports on Ukraine and on Israel. The Pentagon says it is investigating who receives classified documents of the type leaked online and how they are distributed. Critical of Ukraine’s combat capability Leaked documents show American skepticism about Ukraine’s combat capability, writes the Washington Post. American intelligence points to significant failures in the Ukrainians’ ability to muster people and equipment. This could lead to the Ukrainians struggling to achieve their goals, is the assessment in the leaked US intelligence documents. The Pentagon is investigating the leaks. Photo: STAFF / AFP Sources tell the newspaper that American intelligence believes it is unlikely that Ukraine will take back as much territory in the spring offensive as in the very successful offensive in the east and south last autumn. Problems with gathering soldiers, ammunition and equipment may mean that Ukraine will only make “modest territorial advances” in an announced counter-offensive. – Ukraine has learned from Russia’s mistakes Lieutenant-Colonel Palle Ydstebø is an expert on land warfare at the Norwegian Military Academy. He believes the Ukrainians have shown that they are better able to continue even after exhausting blows than the Russians. – The parties are like two boxers who have taken a lot of beating. One is better at catching up than the other. – The Russians have bigger problems than expected, both with people and material. Russia sends many soldiers without training. We have used the word cannon fodder, we can use it again. Palle Ydstebø. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB Ydstebø believes Ukraine has learned from Russia’s mistakes when the invasion started. The Russians thought they could take Kyiv in one big and quick blow. – If the Ukrainians manage to balance their ambitions against the resources they have available, they will have good opportunities. – Ever since World War I, the norm is that you don’t win a war with a big battle. You must accumulate a series of offensives. Over time, you will be able to achieve the goals you have set for yourself. The document on the Ukrainian spring offensive may indicate that the Ukrainians’ strategy will be to take back disputed areas in the east at the same time that the forces are also pushing south, in an attempt to destroy the bridge connecting the Crimean peninsula to Russia, writes the newspaper. The Washington Post writes that the assessment dates from early February and is in a leaked document marked as top secret. The document is among a long series of secret documents from the American intelligence, security and defense apparatus that have been published on the internet, writes NTB. Both the Pentagon, where many of the documents appear to be from, and the Ministry of Justice are investigating the case.
ttn-69
– The leaks put US security in serious danger – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
