Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service has alleged that China is supplying Russia with satellite reconnaissance data to support missile attacks on Ukrainian territory. According to intelligence officials, some of the targets identified with Chinese assistance include sites owned by foreign investors.
“There is evidence of a high level of cooperation between Russia and China in conducting satellite reconnaissance of Ukraine’s territory to identify and reconnoitre strategic targets for destruction,” said Oleh Aleksandrov, an officer with Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service. “As we have seen in recent months, these targets may belong to foreign investors.”
Officials declined to reveal further details about which facilities were struck as a result of this intelligence-sharing arrangement.
Foreign-Owned Sites Among Those Hit
One of the most notable incidents took place on 21 August, when a Russian missile attack destroyed a facility belonging to U.S. manufacturer Flex Ltd in Mukachevo, Zakarpattia. The strike, which injured 15 people, drew widespread condemnation and raised concerns over the growing reach of Russian missile operations in western Ukraine, an area previously considered relatively safe.
Expanding Sino-Russian Military Cooperation
The new claims come amid mounting evidence of deepening defence ties between Moscow and Beijing. Earlier this year, Ukrainian intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko reported that China had been supplying Russia with special chemicals, gunpowder, and precision machinery for use in 20 military factories. He also noted that by early 2025, around 80% of the key electronics used in Russian drones originated from China.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously warned that Beijing’s growing involvement in Russia’s war effort could further destabilise global security. In April, he stated that Ukraine possessed intelligence showing China was not only exporting components but also manufacturing weapons directly on Russian soil.
Strategic Implications
The allegations highlight a new dimension in the Russia-China partnership, with potential consequences extending beyond Ukraine’s borders. If verified, the sharing of satellite intelligence would represent a significant step in China’s support for Moscow.
Published by Kerry Harrison
Kerry’s been writing professionally for over 14 years, after graduating with a First Class Honours Degree in Multimedia Journalism from Canterbury Christ Church University. She joined Orbital Today in 2022. She covers everything from UK launch updates to how the wider space ecosystem is evolving. She enjoys digging into the detail and explaining complex topics in a way that feels straightforward. Before writing about space, Kerry spent years working with cybersecurity companies. She’s written a lot about threat intelligence, data protection, and how cyber and space are increasingly overlapping, whether that’s satellite security or national defence. With a strong background in tech writing, she’s used to making tricky, technical subjects more approachable. That mix of innovation, complexity, and real-world impact is what keeps her interested in the space sector.