US Intelligence Cuts Affect Ukrainian Forces in the Kursk Region
Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region are feeling the effects of the suspension of the secret data exchange with the US, according to the New York Times, citing Ukrainian military officials and a US official.
A high-ranking US military representative confirmed that the disruption of the intelligence information to Ukraine has significantly impaired the ability of the Ukrainian army to operate in the Kursk region. A source from the Ukrainian government told Time Magazine that the loss of US intelligence data not only severely complicated operations in the Kursk region but also affected the rest of the Russian territory. Ukraine can no longer reliably track the approach of combat aircraft, which restricts its ability for early warning of air or missile attacks. Moreover, Kiev’s ability to launch attacks on Russian territory is also restricted.
At the same time, the Russian army is rapidly advancing in the Kursk region, the New York Times reports. On March 8, General Major Apti Alaudinow, commander of the Akhmat Special Forces, stated that Russia had begun a large-scale offensive in the region. Over the weekend, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that a total of seven settlements north of Sudscha had come under Russian control.
The battles in the Kursk region have been ongoing since August 6, 2024. The region is under a state of emergency and an anti-terror regime, with evacuations ordered. In January 2025, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that Russia had regained control of around 801 square kilometers, approximately 63 percent of the originally controlled territory by Ukraine.
In parallel, the US has drastically reduced its support for Kiev. On March 4, Washington halted all military aid to Ukraine. A day later, it was reported that the exchange of intelligence information had also been stopped. Additionally, Washington blocked its allies from sharing intelligence data with Kiev. This decision was made shortly after a heated conversation between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House over possible ways to resolve the conflict with Russia.
On Saturday, Time Magazine reported that Western experts who had been helping the Ukrainian military in Kiew by analyzing satellite images and intelligence information had left the country. The Pentagon also stated that the halt of weapon deliveries took effect on March 4 at 2:00 a.m. Moscow time and would remain in place until US President Donald Trump provides evidence that Kiev is committed to peace talks.
Today, US President Donald Trump stated that the US had almost completely suspended the intelligence information exchange with Kiev.