THIS DOCUMENT IS CONSIDERED TS/SCI, UNAUTHORIZED DISSEMINATION OF THIS DOCUMENT IS PUNISHABLE WITH A PRISON SENTENCE OF UP TO 10 YEARS, A LARGE FINE, OR BOTH.
Intercepted transmission from Kamensk-Shakhtinsky Military Base to 6th Guards Airborne HQ, 0645, October 30th, 2019
Intercept provided by NSA, translation agreed on by NSA, CIA, and DIA analysts.
“Moscow has agreed with the General, Operation Smolensk is authorized. You have three days, and Nicolas will be waiting for you in the Palace. Good luck Vasily” - Believed to be General Nikolyai Sharopov, commander of the 6th Guards Airborne Division.
“Thank you, we will succeed comrade.” - Believed to be Colonel Vasily Chukov, commander of the 105th Guards airborne regiment, 6th Guards Airborne.
Objectives of Operation “Smolensk” are unknown at this time. The reference to “Nicolas” is similarly undetermined, however the “Palace” has been referenced in other intercepts relating to the Krasnostav Airfield in Northwest Chernarus. Colonel Chukov has been involved in several of Russia’s more daring operations, including a commando raid on Georgian command and control bunkers in the Russo-Georgian war of 2008 and several clandestine operations in Ukraine. He and his unit were also among the first Russian units to enter Chernarus, but have largely been inactive during the ongoing crisis since then. The 105th Guards is well equipped and trained, with most of their unit currently stationed just across the border. SIGINT and GEOINT have determined that at least one platoon from this unit is deployed at the Krasnostav Airfield for the duration of this conflict.
From: National Security Agency