Ukraine running extremely low on anti-air systems, per Pentagon leaks
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The leaks point to Ukraine’s significant shortage of ammunition and air defense systems.
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Ukrainian Buk-M1 medium-range air defense system, also called SA-11 by NATO (Ukrainian MoD)
According to the alleged leaked security documents, the Ukrainian forces’ capacity for medium-range air defense will be exhausted by May 23, the Washington Post reported.
“[Ukraine's] ability to provide medium-range air defense to protect the [front lines] will be completely reduced by May 23. [Ukraine is] assessed to withstand 2-3 more wave strikes," one of the leaked Pentagon documents details.
The leaks point to Ukraine’s significant shortage of Western-supplied equipment, particularly ammunition, and air defense systems.
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Photos of the alleged leaked security documents detailing Ukraine air defense remaining capabilities (Twitter: @War_cube_) -
Photos of the alleged leaked security documents detailing Ukraine air defense remaining capabilities (Twitter: @War_cube_)
"As 1st Layer Defense munitions run out, 2nd and 3rd Layer expenditure rates will increase, reducing the ability to defend against Russian aerial attacks from all altitudes," Washington Post quoted the leaked documents.
The reports have been supposedly made in late February and early March for senior Pentagon officials.
A set of directives were detailed in them, Ukrainian forces should prioritize using air defense systems against Russian jets and helicopters rather than smaller threats like drones.
Additionally, The US military analysts were especially concerned about artillery shells, whose supplies, based on their predictions, may run out in "days."
New info has just entered public domain regarding Ukraine, reportedly by a guy named Lucca.
— LogKa (@LogKa11) April 7, 2023
It says Ukraine’s medium range air defense will be unable to protect frontline forces (FLOT) by 13 May as it will run out of missiles for those areas.
This is because Ukrainian AD… pic.twitter.com/uNLm6dEL6a
The New York Times reported on Saturday that the leaks of classified US documents obscured US ties with key allies and partners, and also undermined the US' credibility and ability to keep secrets.
The classified Pentagon documents leaked on Friday are proving to be a true treasure trove, revealing information about Ukraine, China, South Korea, and the Middle East.
Read more: Seoul to respond against Washington's espionage efforts
Earlier today, a report written by the New York Times, addressing the leaked Pentagon documents, underlined that Washington has been spying on South Korean officials. One of the files revealed that Washington managed to uncover the South Korean President’s unease with Biden’s request to buy artillery shells for Ukraine through “a signals intelligence report”; which refers to intercepted communications from phone calls and electronic messages.
"We will review precedents and instances involving other countries, and come up with our response accordingly … There is no change to our government's basic stance on Ukraine," a South Korean presidential official announced.
It was also reported that a meeting chaired by the National Security Adviser Cho Tae-yong was held today to discuss this new information and to decide on an adequate response.
