Leaked documents from the US Pentagon paint a grim picture of the outlook for Ukraine’s air defense, predicting that the country could run out of major assets before the end of May.
Ukraine’s S-300 air defense systems could run out of ammunition as early as May 2, while the country’s other air defense systems could be exhausted by May 23, the documents warn. The documents, dated at the end of February, state that systems such as the S-300 make up about 89% of Ukraine’s air defense capability.
Should Ukraine lose its ability to threaten Russian aircraft entering its territory, the conflict could quickly turn.
Russia currently maintains a fleet of some 485 fighter jets, compared to Ukraine’s 85. Should air defense systems go offline, Ukraine’s skewed numbers game in the air would be the only means to secure the skies over Ukrainian forces.
UKRAINE WAR PLANNING DOCUMENTS LEAKED ONLINE, PENTAGON INVESTIGATE
Ukraine is quickly running out of key air defense systems, leaked documents show, and supplies could run out completely by mid-May, giving Russia a huge opportunity to advance. (AP Photo/LIBKOS, File)
The Pentagon suffered a major leak of classified documents last week, some of which detailed the dwindling supply of anti-aircraft munitions for Ukraine. (Staff/AFP via Getty Images)
The Pentagon said Sunday that an interinstitutional task force is assessing the validity and impact of the “sensitive and highly classified material” leaked online.
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The leaked documents cover a wide range of issues and countries, detailing a case where a British spy plane was almost shot down by a Russian plane off the coast of Crimea last year. British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace previously told the British Parliament that the Russian jets flew “recklessly” but that the missile launch was a “technical malfunction”.
The leaks also suggested that Israel’s intelligence agency, the Mossad, had secretly encouraged mass protests against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month.
It alleged that Mossad “advised for Mossad officials and Israeli citizens to protest against the judicial reforms proposed by the new Israeli government, including several explicit calls to action that decried the Israeli government, according to intelligence agencies.”
The US has opened a criminal investigation into serious leaks of classified documents related to US allies around the world. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Netanyahu’s office, which is in charge of Mossad, rejected the claims in a statement to Fox News Digital.
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“The report published overnight in the American press is false and has no basis whatsoever. The Mossad and its senior officials did not encourage staff from employment agencies to participate in anti-government demonstrations, political demonstrations or any other political activity,” the Prime Minister’s office wrote on behalf of Mossad.
Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter at Fox News Digital covering national politics and major news events. Send tips to [email protected], or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
