Intelligence Assessment: Russia Provided Iran with Electronic Support to Tighten Its Attacks

SadaNews - A Ukrainian intelligence assessment has shown that Russian satellites conducted dozens of detailed imaging surveys of military installations and critical sites across the region to assist Iran in striking American forces and other targets.

The assessment concluded that Russian and Iranian hackers are collaborating in the field of cybersecurity. This assessment is the most detailed report so far on how Russia has been providing covert support to Iran since the war began on February 28.

The undated assessment mentioned that Russian satellites conducted at least 24 surveys of areas in 11 countries in the region from March 21 to March 31, covering 46 "targets," including bases and military sites of the United States, as well as other locations including airports and oil fields.

Within days of conducting the surveys according to the report, military bases and headquarters were targeted by Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, which the report described as a clear pattern.

A Western military source and a separate security source from the region noted that they also have intelligence information indicating intensive activity of Russian satellites in the area, stating that images were shared with Iran.

The Ukrainian assessment indicated that 9 surveys covered parts of Saudi Arabia, including 5 surveys over King Khalid Military City near Hafar Al-Batin, seemingly an attempt to identify the locations of U.S.-made "THAAD" air defense system elements.

The report showed that areas in Turkey, Jordan, Kuwait, and the UAE were monitored twice via satellite, while locations in Israel, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, and Diego Garcia naval support facility were monitored once.

In a new direction, the assessment added that Russian satellites were actively monitoring the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran imposed an effective blockade on all ships except "non-hostile vessels."

Russia and Iran Communicate Through a Permanent Communication Channel

In contrast, White House spokeswoman Olivia Wells stated that any foreign support for Iran from any country does not affect the success of American operations.

Meanwhile, two European diplomats indicated that Rubio had not responded to the allegations against Russia, although he publicly described Russian assistance to Iran as insignificant.

The Ukrainian assessment mentioned that the exchange of satellite images is being organized through a permanent communication channel used by Russia and Iran, which may also be facilitated by Russian military spies stationed in Tehran.

A regional security source confirmed a specific incident detailed in the Ukrainian assessment, which was revealed by President Volodymyr Zelensky last week.

The assessment stated that a Russian satellite captured images of Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia just days before Iran struck the facility on March 27, resulting in damage to an advanced U.S. aircraft (E-3 Sentry AWACS).

The assessment added that a Russian satellite passed over the same site on March 28 to assess the impact of the strike.