The Russia Ukraine War and US Intelligence

Video Above: The Impact of Stinger Missiles, Javelin Missiles and Switchblade Drones in Russia Ukraine War

By Kris Osborn – President & Editor-In-Chief, Warrior Maven

The Pentagon is openly acknowledging that US surveillance and intelligence capability continue to supply Ukrainian forces with critical real-time information of great relevance to their ongoing war against Russia.

However, for understandable security reasons, likely related to not wanting to reveal sources and methods of intelligence gathering, the Pentagon did not elaborate upon the nature of much of the intelligence provided.

Intelligence Gathering

Responding to questions about a New York Times report suggesting the US is providing targeting specifics and location intelligence about Russian leaders, Pentagon leaders emphasized that Ukrainians themselves operate a robust intelligence gathering operation and cooperate with a number of key Western allies, including the US. Specifically, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby was clear that the US does not “target” Russian leaders for Ukraine.

“We provide battlefield intelligence. Do not provide intel on senior leader locations or participate in targeting. They have capable intel capabilities of their own. Ukraine combines what they get from us, others and themselves then they make their own decisions and take their own actions,” Kirby said.

Beyond that statement, the Pentagon said very little, citing obvious security concerns related to the need to protect the intelligence gathering process. Separately, DoD has acknowledged providing Ukraine with a number of critical intelligence gathering resources to include hand-launched mini-drones and Navy Unmanned Surface Vessels to protect the Ukrainian coastline along the Black Sea.