The Air National Guard is accused of leaking classified documents to a small group of gamers who posted sensitive information months earlier than before and to a much larger chat group, according to the posts. online reviewed by The New York Times.
In February 2022, shortly after the invasion of Ukraine, a user profile matching that of Pilot Jack Teixeira began posting secret intelligence about the Russian war effort on an unsanctioned chat group. previously revealed on Discord, a social networking platform popular among gamers. The chat group has about 600 members.
The case against Pilot Teixeira, 21 years old, arrested on April 13, in connection with the leak of classified documents by another Discord group of about 50 members, known as Thug Shaker Center. There, he began posting sensitive information in October 2022, members of the group told The Times. His job as an information technology specialist at an Air Force base in Massachusetts gave him top-secret access.
It’s unclear if authorities were aware of the classified document posted on this additional Discord chat group.
Newly discovered information posted on the larger chat group includes details on Russian and Ukrainian casualties, the activities of Moscow’s spy agencies, and updates on aid provided to Ukraine. The user claims to have posted information from the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency, and other intelligence agencies.
The additional information raises questions about why authorities didn’t spot the leak sooner, especially since hundreds of other people could see the posts.
The disclosure of some of America’s most closely guarded secrets has sparked criticism over the way the Pentagon and intelligence agencies protect classified data, and whether there is a weakness in both. check people for security clearance and enforce the spell that only secret access should be given. people with a “need to know”.
The Times learned about the larger chat room from a Discord user. Unlike Thug Shaker Central, the second chat room is publicly listed on a YouTube channel and can be easily accessed in seconds.
A string of digital evidence collected by The Times links posts containing sensitive information to Airman Teixeira. The posts were made under a username that The Times had previously connected with Airman Teixeira. The leaker said he worked at an intelligence unit of the US Air Force. Details are in the video and photos he posted matching images posted by family members inside Teixeira’s home in North Dighton, Mass. Fellow Discord members sent birthday wishes to the user on December 21, the same day that Pilot Teixeira’s sister congratulated him on his birthday on Facebook. And he posted a photo of an antique German rifle for which The Times found a receipt online with Airman Teixeira’s name on it.
The posts reviewed by The Times appear to be detailed written accounts of the classified documents themselves and identifying which intelligence agency they came from. While it appears the user posted photos of some of the documents, they have since been removed from the chat group.
Joshua Hanye, one of Airman Teixeira’s attorneys from the Boston office of public defender, declined to comment on the latest revelations. Officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department also declined to comment.
It seems that the first leak happened less than 48 hours after Russia invaded Ukraine. “Seen a pentagon report saying ⅓ percent of force is being used for invasion,” this user wrote. Clearly wanting to impress others on the team questioning his analysis, he said: “I have more than just open source information. Perks of being in a USAF intelligence unit,” referring to the United States Air Force.
Some of the intelligence posted seemed to herald developments on the battlefield. On March 27, 2022, he shared classified information about Russia’s withdrawal from Kyiv, information that he said he “found on an NSA website”.
“Some ‘big’ news,” he wrote. “There may be plans to withdraw troops west of Kiev, like all other withdrawals.” Two days later, Russian officials announced they would withdraw from the Ukrainian capital.
Some posts begin with an update on the casualty count. He also reports on Ukraine’s targeting priorities and the activities of Russian intelligence agencies. He is particularly interested in posting updates on which countries are providing lethal aid to Ukraine.
At one point, he appeared posting from the military base where he was stationed. In one conversation, he said he was about to enter an area where security license holders can access classified computer networks, known as SCIF – Segregated Information Facility. sensitive.
How Airman Teixeira obtained the documents he allegedly posted online is an important question for investigators. They believe he used administrator privileges related to his IT work to access the document. In his posts, Airman Teixeira said his work gives him access to documents that others cannot see. “The job I have allows me to have more privileges than most intelligence agents,” he wrote.
Airman Teixeira also stated that he is actively searching classified computer networks for documents on the Ukraine war. When one of the Discord users urged him not to abuse his access to classified intelligence, Teixeira replied: “too late.”
At one point, he suggested sharing information privately with members of the group living outside of the United States. “Send me a message and I can tell you what I got,” he wrote.
In another, he wrote that he was able to access a website run by the National Security Agency, the US spy agency that focuses on intercepted communications from computer networks. , to search for war updates.
He also claims to have access to intelligence from US counterparts. “I usually work with GCHQ guys when I search abroad,” he told the chat group in September 2022, referring to Government Communications Headquarters, intelligence, security and UK network.
A spokesman for the National Security Agency declined to comment, referring questions to the Justice Department. A spokesman for the British Embassy also declined to comment.
Airman Teixeira continued to share more insights to the larger chat group until a month ago.
“I am delighted, willing and enthusiastic to cover this event this past year and share with all of you things that not many people get to see,” he wrote on March 19, before adding , “I have decided to stop. with updates.”
Glenn’s thrush, Ishaan Jhaveri And Riley Mellen contribution report.
