Google's satellite updates spark security concerns in Ukraine
Google Maps has updated its satellite images of Ukraine's territory, revealing the locations of military facilities, reported Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian Centre for Countering Disinformation. Google uses images from the American company Maxar, whose main clients include U.S. intelligence agencies.
"Imagine the situation. Google releases updated images on the maps that reveal the location of our military systems (I will not specify). We contact them to fix it quickly, but it’s their weekend. No time for that). The Russians are already actively dispersing these images," reported Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, on his Telegram on Sunday.
He said the Russian side has already started "actively disseminating" images from Google Maps. In particular, Z channels published screenshots of Ukrainian military facilities.
Satellite images showed, among other things, the airport in Kyiv Zhuliany, where updated images (taken on 28 September 2023) revealed air defence systems. According to sources, these could be Patriot systems. As "Kommersant" adds, Google Earth also featured images of the Starokostyantyniv airport in the Khmelnytsky region, showing planes and hangars.
According to Kovalenko, Google representatives contacted Ukrainian authorities and are already addressing the situation. "In the future, we will also discuss how to quickly solve any issues," he conveyed.
As "Kommersant" recalls, Google uses images from the American space company Maxar, whose main clients are U.S. intelligence agencies – National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).
