While the Ukraine war has seen an explosion in the collection and distribution of open source intelligence, the work of secret intelligence agencies remains as important as ever.
Declassified documents showed that US intelligence had extensive knowledge of Russian plans regarding Ukraine.
Western intelligence services continue to cooperate with Ukraine, providing it with real-time intelligence information.
Although open source intelligence (OSINT) is becoming increasingly popular, it cannot replace traditional intelligence methods such as satellites, espionage, and formal intelligence capabilities.
OSINT is useful for British intelligence as cover, but even so it only accounts for about 20% of the total information.
British intelligence is using open sources to confirm aspects of the conflict that may cause confusion.
Although OSINT can provide valuable information, classified intelligence is still needed to compensate for gaps, uncertainties, and distortions in public information.
Government agencies have the financial resources and powers necessary to collect classified information to the extent required in individual cases.
Assessment is a key element of intelligence that is often missing from the broader OSINT community.
Covert intelligence is closely linked to broader government information flows and remains at least as important as OSINT, although its influence is less visible.
Declassified documents showed that US intelligence had extensive knowledge of Russian plans regarding Ukraine.
Western intelligence services continue to cooperate with Ukraine, providing it with real-time intelligence information.
Although open source intelligence (OSINT) is becoming increasingly popular, it cannot replace traditional intelligence methods such as satellites, espionage, and formal intelligence capabilities.
OSINT is useful for British intelligence as cover, but even so it only accounts for about 20% of the total information.
British intelligence is using open sources to confirm aspects of the conflict that may cause confusion.
Although OSINT can provide valuable information, classified intelligence is still needed to compensate for gaps, uncertainties, and distortions in public information.
Government agencies have the financial resources and powers necessary to collect classified information to the extent required in individual cases.
Assessment is a key element of intelligence that is often missing from the broader OSINT community.
Covert intelligence is closely linked to broader government information flows and remains at least as important as OSINT, although its influence is less visible.