US Justice Dept. opens investigation into leak of classified Pentagon documents

The US Justice Department has opened an investigation into the leak of classified Pentagon documents appearing to detail Ukraine’s combat capabilities, its potential vulnerabilities and NATO’s broad efforts to help repel Russia’s invasion, Report informs referring to The Washington Post.

In a statement, the department said it was in communication with the Pentagon and had begun an investigation, but that it had no further comment.

Confirmation of the investigation came as senior US officials realized the scope of leaked material was much more expansive than initially thought.

Earlier on April 7, The Washington Post obtained dozens of what appeared to be photographs showing classified documents, dating to late February and early March, that range from worldwide intelligence briefings to tactical-level battlefield updates and assessments of Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

They outline information about the Ukrainian and Russian militaries, and include highly sensitive US analyses about China and other nations. The materials also reference highly classified sources and methods that the United States uses to collect such information, alarming US national security officials who have seen them.