Zelenskyy accuses Russia of assisting Iran with satellite imagery of U.S. bases in Middle East - CBS News

What the report says

CBS News reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of helping Iran identify and assess U.S.-linked military targets in the Middle East through satellite surveillance. In a Saturday post on X, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had tracked intensified Russian satellite monitoring since early July over Gulf states and U.S. military facilities, and that those images later reached Iran. He said Kyiv would provide evidence to Washington.

According to CBS, Zelenskyy cited July 19 and 20 as examples, saying Russian satellites focused on four air bases: two in Bahrain, one in Jordan and one in Kuwait. He argued there was a pattern between Russian satellite collection and Iranian strikes, including activity before attacks and afterward, when damage could be assessed. CBS noted that the allegation echoes earlier reporting in which multiple sources, including a senior U.S. official, said Russia was giving Iran intelligence on U.S. positions in the region.

The report also described mixed messaging from U.S. officials. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers this week that Russia and China were, at different levels, enabling some Iranian activity, while saying details should remain classified. President Trump later wrote on Truth Social that he did not believe Russia or China were involved, citing assurances from Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.

CBS reported that the U.S. has about 45,000 military personnel and multiple bases, air assets and naval forces across the Middle East. The outlet said 18 U.S. service members are believed to have died since the start of the Iran war, and nearly 100 have been injured in Iranian airstrikes on regional bases this month, according to U.S. officials.