Russian satellites have captured dozens of high-resolution images of military facilities and critical infrastructure in the Middle East to help Iran strike US forces and other targets, according to a Ukrainian intelligence report writes Reuters.
The findings, reviewed by Reuters, also suggest that Russian and Iranian cybercriminals are cooperating. The Ukrainian intelligence assessment found that Russian satellites conducted reconnaissance in 11 Middle Eastern countries at least 24 times between March the 21st and the 31st of March, covering 46 sites, including US and other military bases, airports and oil fields. On the days the Russians conducted the reconnaissance, the Iranians carried out attacks with ballistic missiles and drones, clearly showing a trend.
Western and regional military sources also told Reuters that their intelligence agencies had detected increased activity by Russian satellites over the region, and that the Russians were passing information to Tehran.
In addition to monitoring Iran’s neighbors, Russian satellites have been actively monitoring the Strait of Hormuz.
Reuters was unable to independently confirm the Ukrainian intelligence report. White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said no outside support was preventing the United States from making progress in Iran. The Iranian Foreign Ministry and the Russian Foreign Ministry also declined to comment.
The Ukrainian intelligence assessment said
the satellite imagery was being transmitted through independent communication channels.
Russia and Iran stepped up cooperation in 2022, when Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Both Ukraine and the West have said that Tehran has supplied the Russians with long-range drones Shaded. Iran has denied supplying Moscow with weapons that would be used in Ukraine. In January, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a cooperation agreement. It also includes a clause that the two countries’ intelligence services will exchange information.
The Ukrainians have also said that Russia is providing Iran with cyber assistance. Iranian hacking groups have stepped up attacks since late February, mainly targeting critical infrastructure and telecommunications companies in the Gulf states.
Read also: Iran refuses to open Strait of Hormuz; attacks continue
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