Russian Satellites Conducted Detailed Surveillance of Middle Eastern Military Targets
Russian satellites conducted extensive surveillance of military facilities and critical infrastructure across the Middle East shortly before Iranian attacks on US bases and other sites, according to a Ukrainian intelligence assessment reported by Reuters.
The assessment documented at least 24 satellite surveys of areas in 11 Middle Eastern countries between March 21 and 31. These surveys covered 46 targets including US and other military bases, airports, and oilfields. Within days of being surveyed, many of these locations were struck by Iranian ballistic missiles and drones.
One specific incident highlighted in the assessment involved Prince Sultan airbase in Saudi Arabia. A Russian satellite imaged the facility days before Iran attacked it on March 27, hitting a US E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft. According to the Ukrainian report, a Russian satellite passed over the base again the next day to assess the damage.
Russian satellites also actively surveyed the Strait of Hormuz during this period. A Western military source and a separate regional security source both provided their own intelligence to Reuters confirming aspects of the Ukrainian assessment.
The Iranian foreign ministry declined to comment on the reports. Russia's defence ministry did not respond to Reuters' request for comment.
Beyond the satellite surveillance, the Ukrainian military also alleged that Russian and Iranian hackers were collaborating in cyber operations during the same timeframe.
The allegations come as Russian infrastructure faces repeated attacks from Ukrainian forces. Ukraine's military reported striking Russia's Ust-Luga oil terminal in the Leningrad region, saying it had preliminary confirmation of damage to three storage tanks operated by Transneft-Baltika company.
In a significant development affecting Russian energy exports, crude oil shipments from the Sheskharis terminal in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk were suspended following a drone attack and fire. The terminal normally exports 700,000 barrels of crude oil daily and represents a key Russian oil outlet in the Black Sea.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities continued to cause civilian casualties. In the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, Russian forces targeted two buses, killing four people in Nikopol and injuring at least 16 others. In the southern city of Kherson, a half-hour Russian attack on a residential area killed four elderly people and injured seven more.
Ukrainian drone strikes killed five civilians in Russia and Russian-occupied territories, according to Russian officials, though Reuters could not independently verify these claims. Ukraine denies deliberately targeting civilians.