Russian Satellites Provided Intelligence for Strikes on Saudi Arabia
Russian military satellites provided critical intelligence to Iranian-backed militias to facilitate precision drone and missile strikes against Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure and military bases.
Russian government and military satellites provided critical reconnaissance intelligence to Iranian-backed militias to facilitate precision strikes against Saudi Arabian infrastructure. Analysis by the geospatial intelligence firm AURORAH found a 100% match between the positioning of Russian Cosmos 2600 series satellites and the timing of 40 missile and drone attacks occurring between July 1 and October 19.
On September 10, drone strikes launched from Iraq hit three pumping stations on the East-West Pipeline, interrupting oil flow. Other targeted sites included the Prince Sultan Air Base and a CIA unit in Riyadh. A strike on King Fahd Air Base in Taif damaged an Italian Eurofighter Typhoon jet. Saudi officials state that Iranian advisers analyzed and transferred this Russian and Chinese intelligence to the militias.
Rayed Krimly, the Saudi Foreign Ministry deputy minister for public diplomacy, confirmed that the Houthi rebels receive intelligence from elements in Russia and China, including some commercial sources. He noted that the Saudi government continues to discuss these matters with both nations. Russian officials have not commented on the allegations. Nawaf Obaid, founder of AURORAH, stated that the intelligence system behind the weapon is becoming as important as the weapon itself, marking a transformation in the regional military balance.
