US suspends Ukraine's access to commercial satellite imagery."Ukraine feels 'betrayed'
Ukrainian soldiers described the suspension of US support as a 'betrayal,' especially after relying on satellite images to target artillery and prioritize drone strikes
March 8, 2025, 7:18 pm

US suspends Ukraine's access to commercial satellite imagery.

الجيش الأوكراني \ تعبيرية \ متداول

The US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) confirmed a temporary suspension of Ukraine's access to commercial satellite imagery purchased by the US government, according to a report by The Washington Post.

The newspaper stated that the NGA announced a "temporary suspension of access" to the system providing commercial satellite imagery, "in line with the administration's directives regarding support for Ukraine."

The Washington Post noted that Ukrainian forces had been relying on these images to adjust artillery fire and identify priority targets for drone strikes.

The newspaper quoted Ukrainian soldiers as saying they felt "the immediate impact of this decision," describing the move as "more like a betrayal than a calculated policy."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) confirmed that the administration had received orders to suspend all forms of aid to Ukraine.

Additionally, CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated that the US had halted intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, as reported by Fox News journalist Jackie Heinrich.

This comes just days after a verbal altercation between former US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, at the White House on February 28.

Trump's decision took effect on March 4 and includes the suspension of all US military equipment not yet delivered to Ukraine, including weapons being transported by air or sea, or those awaiting shipment in transit zones in Poland.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.