The American newspaper writes that the leak comes from a man in his twenties who worked on a military base. OG then posted the pieces via the Discord messaging service. That this individual was also able to release that information is, according to Osinga, “worrying and remarkable.”
“Normally, confidential documents remain in the building. Upon arrival, please hand in your mobile phones, laptops and iPads in advance.’ According to Osinga, this should make it impossible to share those documents with the outside world. According to Osinga, taking pieces outside of yourself would be completely out of the question. The fact that this has happened now, he says, will ensure that the Pentagon reviews all security procedures again.
ego trip
The Washington Post based its reporting on chat group conversations on Discord, and also analyzed about three hundred photos of leaked secret documents. The paper also says it has a voice recording, photos and a video of OG.
According to the newspaper, the chat group consisted of about 20 members, mostly boys and young men, with a shared fascination with “weapons, military equipment and God.” OG has been sharing a few docs a week in the group since late last year.
According to the American correspondent Jan Postma, he is a “slightly pathetic soldier” who wanted to impress his friends. Osinga agrees. “Sounds like some sort of ego trip from someone who wanted to grow up in that little chat group.”
No false flags
In recent days there has been much speculation in the media about the authenticity of the documents and whether it was not an American deception operation. Osinga now dares to refuse it. “Now we see that it really comes from within,” she says. The reaction from the White House and the Pentagon also strongly indicates that these documents are authentic, according to Osinga.
“It seems strong to me that you want to take so much political damage for a deception operation”
Furthermore, the information contained in the documents is too sensitive to be used as a “false flag operation,” he thinks. ‘I think it’s cool that you want to take so much political damage for a deception operation. The allies will think twice next time before sharing classified information with the Americans.”
Deeply penetrated
Besides America itself, the Russians in particular are the biggest victims of this leak, thinks Osinga. You hardly see information about Ukraine, for example, that you didn’t already know. For example, the documents contain information about a shortage of air defense equipment in the country. “This just points to the need for the West to come forward with those resources.”
On Russia, however, according to Osinga, it becomes clear how deep the Americans have penetrated into all layers of the Kremlin. “We also read information about disagreements within the various Russian authorities, which gives a clear picture of how badly the Russian armed forces are currently doing.”