Biden Claims U.S. Closing In On Identity Of Classified Documents Leaker.

Topline

President Joe Biden said Thursday federal investigators are “getting close” to identifying the unnamed person who leaked classified U.S. and NATO documents on social media, multiple outlets reported, as federal agencies investigate multiple tranches of documents reportedly detailing secret information on Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Key Facts

Key Background

U.S. officials have warned the intelligence information leaked over the past two months on social media platforms including Discord, Telegram and Twitter, as well as fringe messaging board 4chan, are potentially dangerous, with one official telling Politico: “the mood is anger.” The Department of Defense has been investigating the leak, the New York Times first reported last Thursday. One day later, another trove of classified U.S. documents marked “Top Secret” appeared on social media sites, multiple outlets reported, with sensitive information regarding Ukraine’s military, as well as information on China and terrorist groups in the Middle East. One of those documents reveals the status of the war efforts in the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, which has for months been struck by artillery fire as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, the Times reported. Other documents appear to show U.S. officials believe Ukraine could soon run out of weapons and fail to stave off a Russian counter-offensive, The Hill reported. A U.S. official who spoke to the Times called the leak a “nightmare for the Five Eyes” (referring to the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada and New Zealand). The Department of Justice has since launched its own investigation into the leak.

Surprising Fact

The unidentified man who posted classified documents on the messaging site Discord claimed to have worked at a U.S. military base, the Washington Post reported Thursday, citing an unnamed source who said they know the leaker through an invite-only group called “Thug Shaker Central.” The leaker, who also claims to be a gun enthusiast and identifies himself on Discord as “OG,” had access to the documents through his job at the military base, the Post reported (the name and location of the base have not been disclosed).

Further Reading

Everything We Know About The Ukraine War Leaks (Forbes)

Here’s Why U.S. Officials Feel ‘Sick’ Over Defense Leaks: Secrets About Allies, Alliances With Russia And Doubts About Ukraine’s Strength (Forbes)

Person Who Leaked Intel Documents Claims They Worked At A Military Base, Report Says (Forbes)