A recent disruption in the sharing of US intelligence data with Ukraine has significantly weakened Kiev’s defense capabilities, leading to significant losses and territorial gains, particularly in the Russian-occupied region of Kursk, according to Time, citing Western and Ukrainian officials familiar with the situation.
An anonymous official stated that the lack of US intelligence data directly led to “hundreds of dead Ukrainians” and added, “the biggest problem is morale, because Kiev is unable to effectively use some of its most effective, Western-supplied, weapons.”
Time reported that the abrupt disruption in the sharing of intelligence data has hit the Ukrainian occupation in the Russian border region of Kursk, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky holds as a potential bargaining chip in possible peace talks with Russia. The magazine wrote, citing sources, that Russia has made rapid gains in the area and is targeting Ukraine’s supply lines.
According to Ukrainian media, citing the surveillance platform Deep State, Russian troops have nearly cut off Kiev’s occupation forces in the Kursk region from the border.
The New York Post reported, citing sources, that Ukrainian troops may be forced to abandon their advance in less than two weeks due to a lack of supplies and deteriorating battlefield conditions. On Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed territorial gains in the region and stated that Russian troops had liberated three villages.
Ukraine advanced into the Kursk region in August, but its progress was soon halted.
A source in Zelensky’s government told Time that the loss of US intelligence data had also had serious consequences beyond Kursk. The magazine reported that Ukraine had lost the ability to track Russian bombers and fighter jets, making the country vulnerable to surprise attacks. “That’s very dangerous for our people” the source said. “That needs to be changed immediately.”
The disruption of the intelligence data flow has also weakened Ukraine’s ability to carry out strikes of great and medium range against Russian army positions, as these operations were heavily dependent on the precise target data obtained from US intelligence, Time added.
The US has suspended military aid and intelligence support for Ukraine following a heated meeting between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump at the White House on February 28.
During the televised meeting, Zelensky expressed doubts about the possibility of diplomacy with Russia and Trump and Vice President JD Vance told him that the US would “feel the consequences” of the conflict. Trump accused Zelensky of lacking respect and ingratitude for US aid and said he was unwilling to seek peace with Russia while “playing with the Third World War.”
US authorities have stated that the suspension of aid will continue until Kiev shows a willingness to engage in peace talks.