The Department of Defense (DoD) issued on Easter Sunday its most detailed public statement to date regarding the apparent leak of classified information.
“An agency effort has been stood up, focused on assessing the impact these photographed documents could have on U.S. national security and on our Allies and partners,” Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said in a statement. “Over the weekend, U.S. officials have engaged with Allies and partners and have informed relevant congressional committees of jurisdiction about the disclosure.”
Up until Sunday, the Pentagon had only commented publicly on the matter to say it was aware of the images and that a criminal referral had been made to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Singh confirmed on Sunday the DOJ had opened a criminal investigation. “The Department of Defense’s highest priority is the defense of our nation and our national security,” she added.
Dozens of images reportedly began popping up in recent weeks on social media, starting with Discord, showing what appears to be secret details about Russia’s war in Ukraine, surveillance efforts, and more. The source of the apparent leak remains unclear, but documents reportedly look authentic. A U.S. defense official told The Washington Post many of the documents look like they were prepared for Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other senior military officials, but stressed these records would be available broadly to people with proper clearance.
Military analysts cautioned that at least some of the images of documents may have been doctored, according to The New York Times. For instance, they suspect estimates about the war dead on both sides of the Ukraine conflict appear to be off the mark. The news outlet also noted the documents indicate the United States knows more about Russia’s military campaign than Ukraine’s defense plan, which it has spent around $200 billion to assist.
On Sunday, Israel pushed back on alleged intelligence that said the country’s Mossad intelligence agency encouraged protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial judicial reforms plan.
“The report that was published overnight in the American press is mendacious and without any foundation whatsoever,” said the prime minister’s office in a Twitter post it claimed was on Mossad’s behalf.
