For some time, SOFREP has desired a live “boots on the ground” presence in Ukraine. Now we have one. We receive our Russo-Ukraine war information unfiltered, straight from the source. I’ve been working with these brave Americans and Ukrainians for a matter of days to gain information on what life is like in the embattled nation. In just a short time, they have been through quite a wild ride.
This is no game. Since they are in an active war zone and their lives may be in danger for sharing information with us, I’m bound to keep the tightest reigns on Operational Security (OPSEC) and Personal Security (PERSEC) possible. If there are cases where their faces are shown, it is because they have agreed to that.
For the sake of reporting, I’ve given our primary source in country the code name of “Lifeline”. It beats the hell out of the repetition of referring to them as “our source” over and over again.
Who our assets are and exactly where they are located is not as important as what they are doing and how that impacts the people of a nation that has been at war with Russia for over 16 months.
Not in Kansas Anymore
Just a day or two after Lifeline arrived in Ukraine, Russian Kalibr cruise missiles impacted nearby. Through a secure and encrypted message, he relayed to me, “Cruise missiles have a way of waking you up.” That’s quite understated; night turns immediately to day, and it is as if mighty Thor himself has been pounding on the ground.
The day after the strikes, Lifeline walked through the impact area. A residential building was involved, and civilians were killed. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon site in today’s Ukraine.
There is a lot of speculation in the area that a Russian informant gave away the coordinates of a storage facility at a nearby military academy. That structure was struck and annihilated but did not house three challenger tanks as the Russians had claimed. It likely did not contain much of military significance unless you consider spare uniforms and the like to be significant.
Lifeline tells SOFREP that three enemy Shahed drones that fired on the town in late June were likely aiming at the local Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, building. They are the main intelligence and security agency of the Ukrainian government. One drone managed to do a small amount of damage to the corner of the SBU building, and the other two impacted the ground near a city park.
For some time, SOFREP has desired a live “boots on the ground” presence in Ukraine. Now we have one. We receive our Russo-Ukraine war information unfiltered, straight from the source. I’ve been working with these brave Americans and Ukrainians for a matter of days to gain information on what life is like in the embattled nation. In just a short time, they have been through quite a wild ride.
This is no game. Since they are in an active war zone and their lives may be in danger for sharing information with us, I’m bound to keep the tightest reigns on Operational Security (OPSEC) and Personal Security (PERSEC) possible. If there are cases where their faces are shown, it is because they have agreed to that.
For the sake of reporting, I’ve given our primary source in country the code name of “Lifeline”. It beats the hell out of the repetition of referring to them as “our source” over and over again.
Who our assets are and exactly where they are located is not as important as what they are doing and how that impacts the people of a nation that has been at war with Russia for over 16 months.
Not in Kansas Anymore
Just a day or two after Lifeline arrived in Ukraine, Russian Kalibr cruise missiles impacted nearby. Through a secure and encrypted message, he relayed to me, “Cruise missiles have a way of waking you up.” That’s quite understated; night turns immediately to day, and it is as if mighty Thor himself has been pounding on the ground.
The day after the strikes, Lifeline walked through the impact area. A residential building was involved, and civilians were killed. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon site in today’s Ukraine.
There is a lot of speculation in the area that a Russian informant gave away the coordinates of a storage facility at a nearby military academy. That structure was struck and annihilated but did not house three challenger tanks as the Russians had claimed. It likely did not contain much of military significance unless you consider spare uniforms and the like to be significant.
Lifeline tells SOFREP that three enemy Shahed drones that fired on the town in late June were likely aiming at the local Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, building. They are the main intelligence and security agency of the Ukrainian government. One drone managed to do a small amount of damage to the corner of the SBU building, and the other two impacted the ground near a city park.
SOFREP created this computer-generated image of Zelensky reflecting on the damage that’s been done to his country.
Hey, Isn’t That…?
War can be anything but predictable. Case in point, Lifeline and a friend were taking a nighttime stroll near the area of destruction when he noticed a familiar-looking figure, none other than Volodymyr Zelensky, praying for the fallen soldiers. Our man on the ground casually raised his cell phone and took some pics and videos. It’s all a bit surreal.
More To Follow (MTF)
Lifeline and I have been in daily contact for several days now. I gave him a list of interview questions for combat medics he personally knows, and he is in the process of getting the translated answers to me. We also have photos and video footage, some of which I will have to censor a bit before publishing.
Be sure to check back to SOFREP daily for more of this developing story. I just found out a few minutes ago that a senior Ukrainian soldier has agreed to do an interview with me directly. That’s great; I have a lot of questions. Before long, I’ll be sharing the answers with all of you.
As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted, I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice. At SOFREP, our veteran journalists, who once fought for freedom, now fight to bring you unfiltered, real-world intel. But without your support, we risk losing this vital source of truth. By subscribing, you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much, ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter. Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Please consider subscribing now.
One team, one fight,
Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
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