Ukraine’s Possible Intelligence Sting to Identify Russian Leaks in US Intelligence

Ukraine Denies Claims of Feeding False Intelligence to US to Test Moscow Leaks

Ukrainian military intelligence officials have firmly rejected allegations that Kyiv deliberately passed fabricated intelligence to Washington in an effort to identify information leaks to Moscow, calling such claims “distorted information” without factual basis.

The controversy emerged after Vincent Crouzet, identified as a former operative with France’s foreign intelligence service Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure (DGSE), made these assertions during an appearance on the French television program “24h Pujadas” on January 15. The claims were later amplified through a blog post by security commentator James Marinero.

According to Marinero’s account, Crouzet alleged that Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR) had “engaged in a deliberate campaign of disinformation” by strategically feeding false intelligence to American agencies to trace potential information pathways to the Kremlin. However, observers note that Crouzet failed to provide specific examples or evidence to substantiate these serious allegations.

A source within Ukraine’s HUR, speaking to Kyiv Post, categorically denied these claims, stating they “discredit the activities of Ukrainian intelligence and special services in terms of interaction with international partners.” The intelligence official emphasized that Ukrainian services continue to work with international allies, including the United States, “on the principles of professionalism and responsibility.”

The timing of these allegations has raised suspicions in Kyiv. Ukrainian officials suggest Russian propagandists are amplifying the claims to undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts, noting that the information surfaced while a Ukrainian delegation was abroad engaged in negotiations related to ending the war. “The published information has no objective basis or real grounds,” the HUR source added.

The controversy intersects with recent statements by French President Emmanuel Macron, who claimed last Thursday that Paris had superseded the United States as Ukraine’s primary intelligence provider, now supplying two-thirds of Ukraine’s “intelligence capabilities.” Crouzet reportedly attempted to connect his allegations to Macron’s remarks, characterizing the President’s statements as “official” acknowledgment of his assertions.

Macron’s comments themselves have attracted significant attention in intelligence circles, though the French leader did not detail the nature of these capabilities. When pressed for clarification, a French defense ministry official told Reuters that most of the support involves technical capabilities, without elaborating further.

The accusations emerge against a backdrop of ongoing concerns about potential intelligence leaks within Western security structures. While some senior US officials, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, have been criticized for occasionally echoing Russian narratives, no concrete evidence has been presented linking any specific US officials to intelligence compromises.

Intelligence sharing has been a critical component of Western support for Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The United States, United Kingdom, France, and other NATO allies have provided crucial battlefield intelligence that has enabled Ukrainian forces to conduct precise strikes against Russian military assets and anticipate enemy movements.

Experts in international security affairs note that intelligence relationships are built on trust and reliability, making accusations of deliberate misinformation particularly damaging. False intelligence deliberately planted could potentially endanger lives on the battlefield and undermine vital strategic partnerships at a critical juncture in the conflict.

The Russian government has consistently sought to create discord between Ukraine and its Western partners, frequently amplifying narratives that suggest tensions or mistrust within the alliance supporting Kyiv. Intelligence officials have warned that such information operations aim to weaken international resolve in supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.

As the war approaches its three-year mark, maintaining strong intelligence cooperation between Ukraine and its partners remains essential to Kyiv’s defense strategy against Russian forces.