American company Maxar Technologies has restricted the use of its satellite images in Ukraine. The decision may be related to the US government's prohibition on providing intelligence information to Ukraine. This was reported by the publication "Militarniy" and the OSINT community "KiberBoroshno".
Although the company justified this restriction with an "administrative request," it did not provide an official comment. It is not unlikely that this situation is related to the restrictions on intelligence sharing between the US and Ukraine.
Maxar Technologies is one of the largest companies providing commercial satellite imagery. Its images are used not only by states but also by media outlets, researchers, and intelligence organizations. For Ukraine, these images are crucial for monitoring the movements of Russian troops and assessing the consequences of strikes.
On March 5, the Financial Times reported, citing its sources, that the US has stopped intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Additionally, Fox News journalist Jackie Heinrich reported that CIA Director John Lee Ratcliffe wrote about the US taking a "temporary pause in intelligence efforts to ensure peace."
This decision could have serious consequences for Ukraine, as satellite imagery plays a vital role in monitoring events on the front, analyzing positions, and making strategic decisions. Therefore, this restriction could pose significant challenges for the Ukrainian government and military circles.
At the same time, the US government and Maxar Technologies have not issued an official statement clarifying the reasons for this restriction. Furthermore, there are various speculations that this decision may indicate changes in US policy regarding assistance to Ukraine.
It is still unknown how the Ukrainian government and military officials will respond to this restriction. However, the lack of satellite imagery could complicate intelligence activities on the front and create difficulties in strategic planning.
Maxar Technologies has restricted the use of satellite imagery in Ukraine
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