Over the last month, around 100 top secret US documents have been leaked online. The leaks are embarrassing for the US and its allies, and could affect Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian attacks. It’s not clear who’s behind the leaks.
The files that were revealed are pictures of secret documents. Most of the documents were created for top US military leaders. Though some of the files have been slightly changed, the US military says most of the leaked documents are real.
Much of the information has to do with Russia’s war on Ukraine. But the files also include information on other countries that the US works closely with, including South Korea and Israel. Some experts say the leaks could make other countries less likely to want to work with the US.
(Source: David B. Gleason [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)
It’s not known how many documents exist, but more than 100 secret documents appear to have been shared. One expert described it as “a nightmare” for the US and allies.
The files were first posted near the beginning of March on an online site that’s popular with people who play video games. More files showed up later on several different social media websites.
Probably the biggest concern about the leaks is that they could weaken Ukraine’s efforts to fight Russia. The documents clearly describe Ukraine’s fighting abilities, and its weaknesses. The documents explain the many ways that the US and its NATO allies are helping Ukraine. This information could help Russia.
But the leaked documents also suggest that the US has very good information on Russia’s military and its plans. The leaks could help Russia find and block whatever sources the US has in Russia.
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One big concern about the leaks is that they could weaken Ukraine’s efforts to fight Russia. The documents describe Ukraine’s fighting abilities and weaknesses. The leaks suggest that Ukraine’s Buk air defense systems (seen above in a 2016 parade) won’t last long without more ammunition.
Some people think these documents are only the beginning, and that more secret documents will be shared soon. This has caused a lot of worry. The US government wants to find out who’s sharing these secrets, and stop them from sharing more. The US military, the Justice Department, and the FBI are investigating the leaks.
It’s not clear who would want to leak these documents or why. It seems unlikely that it is someone from Russia or Ukraine. Both countries have said the information in the documents is false.
Markings on some of the documents suggest that the documents came from someone who is able to join high-level US government meetings.
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The US government wants to find out who’s sharing these secrets, and stop them. The US military, the Justice Department, and the FBI are investigating the leaks. Above, US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin (left), and General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The investigation won’t be easy. There may be hundreds – or possibly thousands – of people who could have leaked the documents. Experts are carefully studying the photographs, hoping to find clues that will make their job easier.
In the past, the US has had other important secret documents revealed. In some cases, the leakers wanted to expose US actions that the leakers believed were dangerous. This leak, which focuses on very recent information, seems different from those leaks.
One thing is clear, leaking these documents is viewed by the US as a serious crime. In the past, people who have shared secret information have gone to jail for many years. If the leaker is found, they are likely to face serious punishment.
Update: The US has arrested a 21-year-old member of the Massachusetts National Guard and charged him with leaking the documents. He is reported to have posted the documents to a private group chat. It is believed that his goal was to impress his friends and tell them about the war in Ukraine. It seems unlikely that he was trying to give secrets to another country, but the crime is still seen as extremely serious.