https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war- ... s-12541713
Alleged leaked documents may have modified Russian death toll - and could have bearing on Ukraine's counteroffensive
The leak of alleged NATO briefing documents could have a bearing on Ukraine's planned spring offensive, according to a former senior military intelligence and security officer.
An investigation has been launched after the supposed secret plans to build up Ukraine's forces ahead of the counteroffensive were released online.
Speaking to Sky News, Philip Ingram said the files "quite specifically" says it is an update from 1 March - day 370 of the war.
The New York Times first reported the breach, quoting military analysts as saying the documents appear to have been modified.
"I've seen two versions of it, and the modifications specifically relate to potential casualty figures for the Russians," Mr Ingram said.
"It doctored the figures to Russian dead to 17,500 and the original document, if it is accurate itself, was significantly more than that.
"British defence intelligence has assessed Russian casualties as between 40,000 and 60,000, and the Ukrainians themselves say Russia has lost 170,000, but there is a certainly a lot of disinformation going around.
"It has been published on both Russian and Ukrainian channels, which is interesting."
In terms of the impact the supposed leaked documents will have on Ukraine's planned spring offensive, Mr Ingram said there is the potential for the files to have some bearing on it.
"There are two things that relate to the offensive; understanding when it could happen and where it could happen," he explained.
The documents could give the Russians "some indication" where it could take place, he said.
"Of course, it could all be disinformation... so we have to keep that in the back of mind."
Ukrainian troops are continuing to focus on the eastern Bakhmut area, but they could be preparing to take another a chunk of territory in the south, Mr Ingram added.
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