Russia can carry out long-range strikes thanks to satellite photos given by US companies – media

Russia can launch long-range strikes on Ukraine using satellite images purchased from US companies/Collage 24 Channel

Journalists of the publication The Atlantic said Russia could launch long-range strikes on Ukraine using satellite imagery. The aggressor country can buy these images from American companies.

According to the authors of the material, it is allegedly “dangerously easy” to purchase satellite images from American companies. Journalists claim that “a satellite takes pictures of a place, and a few days or weeks later a rocket falls there.” for additional photos from satellites” name=”Russia can correct strikes for additional photos from satellites”>Russia can correct strikes using photos from satellites

Journalists noted that, according to a Ukrainian military source, there is growing suspicion that Russian long-range cruise missiles could be guided using satellite imagery provided by American companies.

Source drew attention to a possible scheme in which satellite images of certain places are taken, after which, after a few days or weeks, missile strikes are launched at the same places.

The article notes that the presence archived satellite imagery, marked with dates and coordinates, makes it easier to analyze patterns and identify suspicious cases. For example, during the week before April 2, 2022, American companies requested images of the Ukrainian airfield near Mirgorod at least 9 times before it was attacked by missiles.

Similar cases were recorded in other cities, such as Lviv and Kyiv. An unnamed Ukrainian military officer expressed disbelief that private companies are selling satellite imagery in sensitive areas, suggesting that repeated matches of satellite imagery leading up to missile strikes are no longer considered coincidental.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine suspects Russia of buying photos of satellites

In comments to reporters, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Ekaterina Chernogorenko expressed concern that Russia could obtain satellite imagery through third-party companies that do business with Western satellite companies. Chernogorenko warned that these images could potentially be used in armed aggression against Ukraine.

She noted that it is relatively easy to order satellite images from various companies. Moreover, some of them offer fast order fulfillment for thousands of dollars. Chernogorenko also mentions the site spymesat.com, which tracks satellites of various companies and estimates the cost of obtaining a new image.

In a specific example, an employee of The Atlantic was allegedly able to request and receive a satellite image of Zaporozhye from high resolution within minutes by providing a credit card number and name to an intermediary working with a commercial satellite company in San Francisco.

Maxar and Planet could have captured the objects Ukraine hit by Russia

The authors of the material noted that two leading US commercial satellite image companies, Maxar and Planet, allegedly took pictures of Ukrainian objects that could later be hit by Russian missiles. Both companies emphasized their commitment to customer verification and compliance with U.S. law, which prohibits transactions with Russia amid the ongoing war.

Although Maxar declined to comment on specific cases of suspicious orders for image products in Ukraine, the company confirmed that it stopped all transactions with Russian organizations, including intermediaries, in early March 2022.

Likewise, Planet said it supplies images to responsible organizations such as governments, humanitarian organizations and the media, and takes strict measures to prevent potential misuse.

Despite analysis numerous missions completed before the Russian strikes, Planet found no evidence of abuse or violations, but did not provide additional details or substantiations in these cases.

Both companies refrained from discussing any cases , when they suspected that Russia might be using their satellites, or how they check that clients are not associated with Russian entities.

Maxar and Planet have not disclosed their protocol for responding to suspicious activity, such as acquiring images before missile attacks on Ukrainian targets. However, a Maxar spokesman noted strict security checks and increased monitoring of images of Ukraine, but did not detail specific procedures.

350 missile strikes on Ukraine could have been carried out on photos from satellites

One of executives at a satellite imagery analysis firm said more than 350 Russian missile strikes deep inside Ukrainian territory have been detected since the full-scale invasion began. This pattern was discovered by comparing pre-determined images with actual attacks dating back to 2022.

Geospatial intelligence expert Jack O'Connor of Johns Hopkins University commented on the data, suggesting that the Russians are likely carrying out activities that the Ukrainians suspect. However, O'Connor noted that there is no direct cause-and-effect relationship that could be proven from this information.

A former US official who regulated commercial satellites, shared his perspective on the situation, saying that in the early stages of the war, companies first sought government help to determine whether their clients were potentially working for the Russians. This has led to companies introducing strict procedures and protocols.

The source also emphasized the complexity of the situation, noting that numerous US government agencies are actively monitoring the skies over Ukraine using various photographic satellites.

The former official suggested that it would not be surprising if some of these images coincided with Russian military activity in the region.

Meanwhile, former Silicon Valley executive Andrei Liskovich, who now heads an American non-profit organization that provides non-lethal assistance to Ukraine, expressed doubts about the companies' ability to control the final destination of their satellite images. Liskovich noted the need for Western governments to place restrictions on the distribution of satellite imagery over Ukraine to ensure that it reaches only carefully vetted recipients.

Chernogorenko announced plans to propose a mechanism to resolve this issue.

The authority to regulate the use of satellite imagery lies with the Commercial Remote Sensing Administration (CRSRA) of the US Department of Commerce, which has licensed companies such as Planet and Maxar. However, the terms of these licenses, which could potentially limit the type of imagery produced, are not publicly available.

Although companies portray neutrality in providing satellite imagery, conservation concerns have been raised independence and trust in them.

Acknowledging the assistance provided to Ukraine by image suppliers, the head of a satellite image analysis firm noted the need for a reasonable explanation of the images taken, devoid of malice or negligence. Although he was grateful for the support he received, the firm's manager expressed difficulty in finding a satisfactory explanation based on the information available.