Zelenskyy Warns Russian Satellites Surveilling US Military Bases in Middle East

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised alarm over Russian reconnaissance satellites photographing key U.S. and allied military installations across the Middle East, suggesting the intelligence could be shared with Iran for potential targeting operations.

In a March 28 post on X, Zelenskyy revealed he had been briefed that Russian satellites captured images of multiple strategic sites “in the interests of Iran,” including military bases and critical energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf region.

“Everyone knows that repeated reconnaissance indicates preparations for strikes,” Zelenskyy wrote, emphasizing the concerning nature of this surveillance activity.

According to the Ukrainian leader, the surveillance occurred systematically over several days in late March. On March 24, Russian satellites reportedly captured imagery of the U.S.-U.K. military facility on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Subsequent days involved imaging of Kuwait International Airport, portions of the Greater Burgan oil field, and Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

By March 26, the surveillance expanded to include Saudi Arabia’s Shaybah oil and gas field, Turkey’s Incirlik Air Base, and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar – one of the largest U.S. military installations in the region. Some of the locations identified by Zelenskyy have already been targeted in recent Iranian attacks, though direct links between the satellite imagery and these operations remain unconfirmed.

The warning comes as Ukraine expands its role in regional security dynamics, particularly following Zelenskyy’s diplomatic tour of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Jordan. During these visits, he discussed security cooperation and shared intelligence with regional leaders increasingly concerned about Iranian missile and drone strikes.

In an interview published by Axios, Zelenskyy was unequivocal about Russia’s support for Iran’s military operations. “I think Russia is supporting Iran directly, 100%,” he said. “The same format of sharing satellite images like they did in the case of Ukraine.”

This intelligence partnership represents a cost-effective way for Russia to assist Iran without deploying its own troops or equipment, according to Ksenia Svetlova, an associate fellow at Chatham House. “They are doing for the Iranians whatever they can without spending money, spending troops, or spending equipment,” she explained.

The White House has not confirmed the specific intelligence-sharing allegations but maintains that U.S. military operations remain unaffected. “Nothing provided to Iran by any other country is affecting our operational success,” White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales told Fox News Digital, noting that U.S. forces have struck more than 11,000 targets and destroyed over 150 Iranian naval vessels, resulting in a 90% decrease in missile and drone attacks.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio similarly downplayed concerns, telling reporters: “There is nothing Russia is doing for Iran that is in any way impeding or affecting our operation or the effectiveness of it.”

However, security experts view the situation more gravely. Lt. Gen. Richard Newton (Ret.), former U.S. Air Force assistant vice chief of staff, said these developments should come as no surprise. “The latest reports that Russia provided essential imaging intelligence to the Iranian regime to target a U.S. air base in Saudi Arabia should surprise no one. Putin is our adversary who can’t be trusted.”

While advocating for avoiding direct conflict with Moscow, Newton emphasized that “there must be consequences for Russia aiding and abetting the Iranian regime that harms American military personnel and our assets.”

Carrie Filipetti, executive director of the Vandenberg Coalition and a former senior State Department official, called the situation a “dangerous” development. “There is no clearer signal that Russia is a dangerous adversary than the continued reporting that Russia is providing intelligence targeting Americans to a regime currently engaged in combat against the United States,” she said.

As tensions continue to rise, Zelenskyy has questioned ongoing discussions about easing sanctions on Russia. “There must be pressure on the aggressor. And lifting sanctions is certainly not pressure,” he wrote, suggesting that the current situation demonstrates the need for continued international pressure on Moscow rather than sanctions relief.

Neither Russia nor Iran has officially responded to Zelenskyy’s claims about the satellite intelligence sharing operation.