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US suspends Ukraine's access to commercial satellite imagery."Ukraine feels 'betrayed'
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Ukrainian soldiers described the suspension of US support as a 'betrayal,' especially after relying on satellite images to target artillery and prioritize drone strikes
The US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) confirmed a temporary suspension of Ukraine's access to commercial satellite imagery purchased by the US government, according to a report by The Washington Post.
The newspaper stated that the NGA announced a "temporary suspension of access" to the system providing commercial satellite imagery, "in line with the administration's directives regarding support for Ukraine."
The Washington Post noted that Ukrainian forces had been relying on these images to adjust artillery fire and identify priority targets for drone strikes.
The newspaper quoted Ukrainian soldiers as saying they felt "the immediate impact of this decision," describing the move as "more like a betrayal than a calculated policy."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) confirmed that the administration had received orders to suspend all forms of aid to Ukraine.
Additionally, CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated that the US had halted intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, as reported by Fox News journalist Jackie Heinrich.
This comes just days after a verbal altercation between former US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, at the White House on February 28.
Trump's decision took effect on March 4 and includes the suspension of all US military equipment not yet delivered to Ukraine, including weapons being transported by air or sea, or those awaiting shipment in transit zones in Poland.
