New batch of leaked documents: Ukraine, China, Middle East info reveal

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
8 Apr 2023 09:00
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Another batch of leaked confidential US files, this time the documents revealed information about Ukraine, but also about China and the Middle East.

A detailed map of Ukraine that was revealed as part of the first batch of leaks of confidential documents from the US Pentagon on April 7, 2023. (Social media)

A new batch of classified US documents made up of more than 100 new files has been leaked on Friday, according to the New York Times, divulging information pertaining not only to Ukraine but also to China and the Middle East.

US defense and intelligence officials have claimed to be investigating the leak which took over Twitter, Telegram, and the 4chan messaging board.

The New York Times reported that the leak included detailed maps as well as briefing slides on the state of China and the Middle East. One of the documents, dated February 23, was said to be labeled "Secret/NoForn" which meant that the content of the document was not meant to be disclosed to any foreign nation.

A US defense official told Sputnik that Pentagon is aware of the leak and that "the [Defense] Department is looking into it at this time."

Former senior Pentagon official Mick Mulroy stated that the new batch of leaked files represented a major breach of security that might have an influence on the military strategy in Ukraine. Moreover, Mulroy said that the documents are likely to have been leaked by someone who wanted to undermine US, Ukrainian, and NATO operations.

Despite confirming the legitimacy of the documents, defense officials have claimed that the files were tampered with, allegedly, to overstate the number of casualties in the war in Ukraine.

Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the Kremlin, reiterated that Russia has no doubt that the US and NATO are participating in the war in Ukraine, either directly or indirectly. "We keep our eye on this process," Peskov said, adding, "Well, of course, it makes the whole story more complicated, but it cannot influence the final outcome of the special operation."

The first batch of leaked documents, which contained detailed information regarding the weaponry, battalion strengths, and other sensitive data, spread quickly through Twitter and Telegram via pro-Russian channels, according to The Times.

Classified documents leaked caused a reaction from the Pentagon. The #US admin is trying to persuade Twitter & Instagram to delete these documents relating to the #US plans in #Ukraine, deployment of forces, casualties of belligerents, supply of weapons & more v @Spriter99880 pic.twitter.com/JD6UMfNLrc
— Elijah J. Magnier 🇪🇺 (@ejmalrai) April 7, 2023

It is worth noting, however, that the information being circulated is not very recent, and is at the very least five weeks old. The most recent one available was dated March 1st according to the report.

The documents included summaries of training schedules pertaining to 12 Ukrainian combat brigades, nine of which were being trained by the US and NATO. The brigades required 250 tanks, and more than 350 mechanized vehicles, the report noted.

The files also indicate expenditure rates for armaments under Ukraine's military control, including the HIMARS rocket systems.