Russian space intelligence facilitates Houthi and Iraqi militant strike corrections

Russian space intelligence supports attacks in the Middle East

According to the Associated Press, Iran-backed militants, including the Houthis and Iraqi groups, are using data from Russian satellites to correct their strikes. This practice was employed during a series of attacks in September on targets in Saudi Arabia.

Attacks on infrastructure and military facilities

In September, Iran-backed militants carried out a high-precision strike on pumping stations belonging to Saudi Arabia's most important oil pipeline. A few days later, another target was hit — the country's military airbase.

AP journalists established that a few days before these incidents, Russian reconnaissance satellites were in orbit directly above these targets.

Investigation by a private intelligence company

A private geospatial intelligence firm analysed 40 missile attacks and drone strikes on Saudi Arabian territory that took place between 1 July and 19 October.

The company's experts identified a consistent pattern: in every case, the same rotation scheme of Russian government and military satellites over these areas was recorded for several days before and after the attack.

«Ми виявили 100% збіг між активністю супутників та ударами», — зазначив Наваф Обаїд, засновник женевської компанії AURORAH Geosignal Intelligence. ("We found a 100% correlation between satellite activity and the strikes," noted Nawaf Obaid, founder of Geneva-based company AURORAH Geosignal Intelligence.)

Iran's role and international links

Three officials told the Associated Press that the Houthis and other Iranian allies benefited not only from Russian intelligence but also from Chinese capabilities. According to sources, Iranian advisers on the ground analysed the received intelligence data and passed it on to their allies.

It is known that a long-standing military cooperation agreement exists between Russia and Iran, which includes, among other things, the transfer of drone technologies. American and European officials have previously stated that intelligence data is exchanged between Moscow and Tehran.

Details of the September incidents

Early on 10 September, numerous drone strikes launched from Iraqi territory hit three critical pumping stations along the Saudi East-West oil pipeline. Oil from this pipeline had previously been supplied to the market against the backdrop of Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

A week after the attack on the oil pipeline, several projectiles fired by the Houthis hit King Fahd Air Base in Taif. During the shelling, an Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet, which was parked near the base's hangars, was damaged.

Satellite activity statistics

In both described cases, Obaid's firm recorded a 50% increase in the number of Russian satellites orbiting over the targets during the 72-hour period before and after the strikes compared to July figures.

Obaid added that similar satellite patterns were also observed in connection with Iranian strikes on US military bases in the Middle East.