A report published by the Russian newspaper "Gazeta" questioned analysts' claims that the Ukrainian government is now hiding from its allies the details of the expected counterattack against Russian forces, for fear of leaking information.
The Politico newspaper quoted European officials in constant contact with Ukrainian military leaders as saying that Kiev officials were conservative about the details of the counterattack, including its date, place and the number of troops that would take part in it.
Ukraine is still sharing some basic intelligence with the United States and European countries, while preventing and even hiding details of the counterattack from being disclosed from the Ukraine's lower house.
Fear of leaks
Military analyst retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarinuk said Ukraine justified its reservation by leaking classified documents of the US Department of Defense and Intelligence and posting them on social media.
Khodarinuk added that the unwritten law of the General Staff recommends reducing the circle of communication with off-duty people, refraining from building relationships with suspicious people, and discussing planning a counterattack against Russian forces only with co-workers.
Commenting on the American newspaper publication, Khodarinok rules out the Ukrainian military establishing contacts with European officials without the approval of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and ruled out addressing the issue of counterattack during these contacts.
Doubts
Regarding Ukraine's adoption of the "alleged leak incident" of classified Pentagon documents as justification for Washington's failure to share information about the counterattack, the La Gazeta report explained that the accused leaker, Jack Teixeira, did not publish a single document online regarding the possible plan for the counterattack operation of the Ukrainian armed forces, nor a map with an explanatory note, nor a timetable, nor a plan to fire. Accordingly, concerns about potential leaks are somewhat exaggerated.
The report noted that the Ukrainian armed forces are acting based on data provided by the US intelligence community, highlighting that the Ukrainian military has long prepared for the counteroffensive operation, including plans to establish and deploy strike force groups, engineering support, logistical and technical support, in coordination with the United States Command and NATO.
The weapons and military equipment received from the West — including Leopard 2 tanks, Challenger tanks, M2 Bradley fighting vehicles and Stryker armored personnel carriers — will be sufficient for Ukraine's armed forces to create at least two strike force groups.
The West will not accept Ukraine's defeat in the supposed counterattack, so it is desperate to provide it with intelligence, help it establish a control and communications system, and deliver modern weapons, military equipment and ammunition.