New US classified documents have surfaced online

class=”sc-3778e872-0 cKDKQr”>

After secret documents from the US and NATO ended up on Twitter and Telegram on Thursday, the US Department of Defense reported on Friday about further documents that have appeared on the internet. This is reported by the New York Times (NYT).

The Pentagon was alarmed by the leak, which analysts say could have stolen more than 100 documents. According to Mick Mulroy, a former senior Pentagon official, the leak of the classified documents represented “a significant security breach.”

While the documents leaked Thursday contained plans for the buildup of Ukraine’s military ahead of a planned offensive against Russia, the newly unearthed documents appear to reveal details of US national security secrets related to Ukraine, the Middle East and China. The documents appeared on Twitter and other websites. The papers also contain information about Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.

Secret service employee speaks of a nightmare

According to US officials, the sensitivity of the documents could cause enormous damage. A senior intelligence official spoke of a “nightmare for the Five Eyes”, referring to the United States, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The countries exchange intelligence information on a broad basis.

As early as Thursday, when the first leak broke, senior national security officials were concerned that more information might have been leaked. This fear has now come true, the newspaper continues.

The leak now contains not only top secret material about Ukraine’s war plans, but also sensitive briefing slides about China, the Indo-Pacific military space, the Middle East and terrorism. As the “NYT” writes, referring to US officials, it could therefore be a constant infusion of classified information that is constantly published on websites.

Who had access to the documents?

Ukrainian officials, as well as pro-war Russian bloggers, claimed the leak was a disinformation campaign from the other side. The aim is to influence Ukraine’s possible spring offensive to reclaim areas in the east and south of the country.

According to a US security official, it is unlikely that the documents came from Ukrainian officials, because they would not have access to the specific plans, which bear the stamp of Pentagon employees. A second official is said to have said that it must now be determined which officials have access to the documents. (dzc)

Source: Blick