Ukraine says military leaks contain ‘fictitious’ information as officials aim to prevent future breaches

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the top security brass met there to look at ways to prevent the leakage of military information, after a secret document detailing Western aid to Ukraine reportedly ended up online, although the Ukrainian president’s office did not confirm its publication.

The statement about the meeting issued by Zelenskyy’s office also made no reference to a New York Times report that said documents about US and NATO plans to build up Ukraine’s military had been leaked online.

“Participants of the meeting focused on measures to prevent the leakage of information about the plans of the defense forces of Ukraine,” the statement said.

The Times reported Thursday that the Pentagon is investigating how documents about plans to build up Ukrainian forces ahead of a planned counterattack against invading Russian forces were posted on social media channels Twitter and Telegram, which are widely used in Russia.

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Claims of disinformation

Reuters could not immediately review the document.

But the Times reported that it contained details of Ukrainian troop levels over ammunition for the US-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), as well as a list of “Ukrainian forces’ units, equipment and training,” and how much time they spent on them. The delivery of equipment “will affect the training and readiness to meet the timeline” of the combat brigade.

Ukraine and Russia say the leaked material is disinformation, according to the Times.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak told Reuters earlier that the leak of the documents looked like a Russian operation to sow doubts about the spring counter-attack.

He said the leaked data contained “vast amounts of fictitious information” and that Russia appeared to be trying to regain the initiative in the invasion, now in its 14th month.

“This is just a standard element of the operational game by Russian intelligence. And nothing else,” Podolyak said in a written statement.

Ukrainian forces have been facing a Russian offensive in the east for months, focusing on the city of Bakhmut. Kyiv hopes its forces can launch a counter-offensive in the coming weeks or months to recapture the territory it controls.

“Russia is looking for ways to regain the initiative,” Podolyak said in the statement. “To try to influence the scenario for Ukraine’s counteroffensive plan. To introduce doubts, to compromise … ideas, and finally to intimidate (us) with how ‘informed’ they are.”

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Editable document

The Times said the document appeared to have been redacted in certain sections. One section gave estimates for Ukraine’s military losses that were higher than Western estimates available so far.

“For example, one of the slides says that 16,000 to 17,500 Russian soldiers have been killed while Ukraine has suffered up to 71,500 troops. The Pentagon and other analysts estimate that Russia has suffered more casualties, with closer to 200,000 dead and wounded. , while Ukraine has more than 100,000 killed and wounded,” the Times reported.

Ukraine has not disclosed the size of its losses and is very sensitive about the subject.

Analysts who spoke to the Times said parts of the documents appeared to be genuine but it was unclear what impact the information contained on the battle lines.

“[The documents] did not provide specific war plans, and because it is five weeks, they offer only a snapshot of time – the view of the Americans and Ukrainians, on March 1, whether the Ukrainian forces may be necessary for the campaign, may be necessary for the campaign, “said the report.

The Kremlin did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

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