U.S. intel helped Ukraine protect air defenses, shoot down Russian plane carrying hundreds of troops

Secret stuff staying secret.

Could have been an intentional leak. "We know where you will shell before your troops do". Has kind of a demoralizing effect.

"Secret stuff staying secret." Makes sense to this commoner. I appreciate this!

Learn something new every day here on DU!

This seems like info that we might not want public on the face of it, but with your point and others above, it seems like it could be a rather wise decision in letting Russia know Ukraine is far from alone in this fight.

It's a nice feeling. Standing up to a bully and for democracy.

This in particular will make Russian soldiers, if they get the information, think twice about getting on a Russian carrier plane. It will also make the pilots think. They of course will have no choice. But as more fall the lack of confidence in the leadership will grow. And with that, tactics will have to change, which will further hamper their ability to do anything.

Although I hope some pilots are in a position to be able to trade in their expensive jets for a million bucks and Ukrainian citizenship. Perhaps news like this can push them towards that possibility.

No harm in admitting "helping", but identifying particular operations should be a no-no.

Ukraine isn't just making a series of improbably lucky shots over the last two months on a number of strikes.

It was clear enough then that US and other NATO intel was providing fire control and asset management information to UA, just based on results.

Even with that help, UA demonstrated some pretty hoopy chops in the early days, but Russia had to know they were getting help.

Why "confirm" it now?

I suspect several factors came together, but among them:

Macron's electoral victory led directly to the provision of 155mm truck-mounted "Ceasar" cannon, and Macron becoming much more forthcoming about France's commitment to assisting Ukraine.

Russia's clumsy threats about nuclear retaliation to Britain were a clear attempt at intimidation.

Finland and Sweden publicly acknowledging and announcing a timeline for their intent to apply for NATO membership.

Recent visits by high-level US officials to Kyiv.

This looks to me like a coordinated ratcheting operation, increasing pressure on the Sov... sorry, "Russia", to prevent them from escalating. The U.S. publicly acknowledging this assistance provokes all kinds of questions, including what assistance are we providing that we're NOT acknowledging.

It's a very delicate balance, pushing at the Russians' paranoia, getting them to imagine things, confirming past help but not hinting about current efforts, pulling the "retaliation" rug out of their propaganda arsenal.

I think there are very experienced, very careful strategists working on this.

speculatively,
Bright