'They may be purchasing images to select targets': Is Russia using US satellites?

12PUNTO FOREIGN NEWS

It has been alleged that Russia is using US satellite imagery to select targets for its missile and air strikes. It is suspected that images obtained from private satellites belonging to US companies are being purchased by Russia to identify military targets and obtain coordinate information.

According to a report by The Atlantic, which cites an unnamed Ukrainian military official, the Ukrainian military has strong evidence that 'Russia is using commercial satellite imagery from US companies to plan and direct its missile strikes.'

According to the report, the Ukrainian military official says that accessing both archived and recently produced satellite imagery has never been easier. Furthermore, they argue that if Russia wants to attack fixed settlements or industrial zones, it can obtain archived, high-resolution images containing coordinates 'without too many questions being asked.'

According to a report by The Kyivpost, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defense Katerina Chernorenko believes there are hundreds of examples of Russia obtaining coordinate information to select targets from companies such as Maxar and Planet Lab. Ukraine believes that the US Department of Defense shares this view.

IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT RUSSIA PURCHASED SATELLITE IMAGERY BEFORE ATTACKS

Three attacks are cited as evidence that Russia uses US companies' satellite imagery to determine its targets:

First, investigations following an attack on a military airfield in Myrhorod in the Poltava region in April 2022 revealed that a US satellite company had previously received nine separate requests to cover the area.

Second, it was determined that US companies had imaged the area before Russia fired six cruise missiles at the Lviv State Aircraft Repair Plant in March 2022.

Finally, in January of this year, new images covering Ukraine's capital were purchased, followed by an attack on the city and the surrounding region using more than 40 cruise and ballistic missiles.

Another source, an expert in satellite imagery, told The Atlantic that Ukraine has been comparing photo requests with subsequent Russian missile strikes and has identified more than 350 possible cases in the first year of the war alone.

The Atlantic also wrote that one of its reporters purchased recent photos of the frontline city of Zaporizhzhia from a vendor offering Planet Lab images. According to the report, the reporter obtained a high-resolution photo just minutes after providing their name and credit card information.

News Source: 12punto