The satellite photos allegedly exposed the country’s defensive positions to Russian forces
In a rapid response to Kiev’s concerns, Google Maps has removed updated satellite images of Ukrainian military sites after their unexpected appearance this week, a Ukrainian official announced on Thursday.
The updates, which showed sensitive facilities for the first time in two years, sparked immediate calls for their removal, fearing they could aid Russian military efforts.
According to Andrey Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s so-called Center for Countering Disinformation, Google responded to the pressure, restoring the images to an earlier version and obscuring military assets.
Kovalenko praised the US tech giant’s swift action: “Military facilities and systems are no longer displayed. In the future, everything will also be OK.”
His initial announcement on Sunday called attention to the dangers of openly visible air defense positions, which Russian channels shared widely on Telegram. Some even identified specific locations, such as the Zhulyany Airport in Kiev, where a US-made Patriot air defense system could be seen.
The visible images had raised concerns of possible intelligence leaks that could compromise Ukraine’s defense. Google Maps utilizes images from US-based Maxar Technologies, a major satellite imagery provider for American intelligence agencies like the National Reconnaissance Office and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
Maxar’s capabilities have expanded since the start of the conflict, with additional satellites planned to meet the rising demand for surveillance of Ukraine.
Russia has consistently condemned Western intelligence support for Ukraine, arguing that such measures extend the conflict rather than resolve it. Moscow says it will pursue its objectives regardless of Western involvement.
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