A Ukrainian commander stationed near the front lines revealed that U.S. intelligence support had been turned off following the U.S. announcement that it would halt intelligence and military aid to Ukraine.
A report from Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford cited the commander, who told him in an interview that his unit had not received intelligence assistance from the U.S.
“He said that his unit and many like him right the way along that 1,300 km [808 miles] front line in the east and south of Ukraine relied on American intelligence gathering for around 90 percent of the intelligence work that is done,” Stratford reported. “He said that they received no help today and that indeed the Americans seem to have turned that system off.”
On Wednesday, the U.S. announced the suspension of both military and intelligence aid to Ukraine. Officials said it will be halted until a concrete date for peace talks with Russia is set.
Even before the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022, the U.S. has provided significant intelligence support to Ukraine. While the exact details and scale of this intelligence sharing have not been fully disclosed, multiple reports claim that the intelligence, mainly consisting of satellite imagery and signals, enables Ukrainian forces to anticipate incoming Russian strikes.
It also aids in tracking Russian troop movements and locating military bases, allowing Ukraine to launch targeted missile strikes — including long-range projectiles. This capability includes attacks on Russian territory using long-range weapons like ATACMS and HIMARS, supplied by Ukraine’s Western allies.
While the U.S. has withdrawn its support, Ukraine continues to receive intelligence from European countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and France. Previously, it also received intelligence aid from the U.K. However, a recent report from the Daily Mail claims that the White House has instructed the U.K. to stop sharing U.S.-generated intelligence with Ukraine.
Critics warn that the intelligence cutoff could weaken Ukraine and benefit Russia. A source familiar with U.S.-Ukrainian intelligence cooperation told CNN: “Combined with the stopping of military assistance and foreign aid, it pretty much guarantees a Russian victory without there needing to be a peace deal.”
Some analysts also believe the move could disrupt the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which includes the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
