The U.S. aerospace company Maxar Technologies has revoked Ukraine’s access to its satellite imagery services following a directive from the U.S. government, according to the Ukrainian defense outlet Militarnyi. The move marks another significant restriction in intelligence-sharing between the United States and Ukraine under the administration of Donald Trump.
Multiple users of Maxar’s commercial satellite services anonymously confirmed the termination of access, citing an administrative request from the company. However, reports suggest the decision stems from a broader U.S. government directive prohibiting American companies from providing satellite reconnaissance data to Ukraine.
U.S. Tightens Intelligence Restrictions on Ukraine
The access cut-off applies to both government and private users in Ukraine. The Ukrainian cyber intelligence group “Cyberboroshno” reported on its Telegram channel that it had lost access to satellite reconnaissance services but did not initially specify which ones. Later, users confirmed that Maxar had revoked their primary service, which they had relied on for tracking Russian troop movements and assessing battlefield damage.
Maxar’s satellite images have played a crucial role in monitoring Russian military operations, providing valuable intelligence on troop deployments, weapons movements, and the results of Ukrainian strikes on key Russian military and infrastructure targets. International media outlets have also frequently used Maxar imagery to document the war’s developments.
This latest move follows reports that, as of March 5, 2025, the U.S. had suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine, particularly data used for targeting high-value strategic sites within Russia and guiding U.S.-supplied precision weapons near the front lines.
France Steps In as U.S. Pulls Back
In response to the growing intelligence gap, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that France is prepared to provide Ukraine with satellite reconnaissance data to compensate for the loss of U.S. intelligence. While it remains unclear whether French data will match the scope and quality of what the U.S. previously provided, the statement signals growing European efforts to support Ukraine independently of Washington.
The restriction of intelligence-sharing, combined with the suspension of Maxar’s satellite imagery, represents a major shift in U.S. policy toward Ukraine, raising concerns about the extent of future American support as the war continues. As European nations consider stepping up their intelligence assistance, Ukraine faces mounting challenges in gathering battlefield reconnaissance crucial for its military operations.
