According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, Russia made satellite images of the American air base in Saudi Arabia in the days before the Iranian attack. The President of Ukraine expressed himself in this way in an interview for .
American soldiers were injured in the attack. Zelenskyy is convinced that Russian satellites photographed the Prince Sultan Air Base on March 20, 23 and 25. On Friday, based on information from Moscow, Iran attacked a target in Saudi Arabia, where American and Saudi troops were located at the time.
According to available information, the attack also hit the American Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft or the Boeing E-3 Sentry early warning aircraft. The destruction of an AWACS machine reduces the Allies’ ability to detect enemy threats and coordinate any retaliatory action.
Information on the number of wounded soldiers varies depending on the source. Their number is estimated to be 10 to 12. At least two are in serious condition after the Iranian attack, but their lives are not in danger.
The importance of a base in Saudi Arabia
The base in Saudi Arabia was used by the Americans as an operational center for the control of the US air force during the start of the military operation against Iran called Stunning Fury. The Israelis are calling for a joint military operation against the Roaring Lion Islamic Republic.
In addition to the machines mentioned above, the base in Saudi Arabia also houses F-15E Strike Eagles, F-35A Lightning, F-16 Fighting Falcons and others.
Zelensky, who has been on a tour of the Persian Gulf countries in recent days, gave an interview to NBC News on Saturday in Qatar. He said he was “one hundred percent” convinced that Russia was sharing intelligence with Iran to help the ayatollahs’ regime target attacks on US forces in the Middle East.
“I think it’s in Russia’s interest to help the Iranians. It’s not about whether I believe, I know they share information,” the Ukrainian president said. “We know that if they take pictures once, they are preparing. If they take pictures a second time, it’s like a simulation. A third time? That means they will attack in one or two days,” says Zelensky.
Alliances in times of war
The Ukrainian president’s words about Russian satellite images cannot be independently verified. However, Russia’s cooperation with Iran has been known for a long time. For years, the Iranians have been supplying the Russians with drones, which are used by the Putin regime in the war against Ukraine.
In an interview with French media on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied that Moscow provided intelligence to Tehran. However, he did not hide the fact that the Russians provided Iran with military equipment, as the two countries have a long-term military alliance.
During his visit to the Persian Gulf countries, Zelensky signed cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Their essence is that the Ukrainians will provide their own know-how in the field of the defense industry in exchange for the massive investments of the Arab countries in this sector of our eastern neighbors.
