Disruption of intelligence sharing with Ukraine will affect weapons systems - Ukrainian officer

He shared the information on Espreso TV.

"Information about takeoff, for example, of Russian aircraft from airfields at long distances, I think, is recorded in various ways. The most effective and fast method, perhaps, is satellite systems. That is, reconnaissance satellites in space. And, of course, they are connected to this link system. We don't have such satellites. We built one satellite, but it used technology from 50 years ago. However, we have other means, other reconnaissance methods to record these takeoffs, including human intelligence. And I believe that this component may be somehow enhanced or activated. Then, again, for NATO aircraft like the F-16 and others, all information between these aircraft is not transmitted verbally, as it was in the Soviet Union: 'From you, 30° distance is such, the target is such.' Everything is transmitted electronically through all these layers, the information transmission system. And here, too, there are limitations," he said.

Andriy Ryzhenko noted that the HIMARS targeting system would also be affected, comparing it to the period when there was a ban on striking targets in Russian territory and digital maps were restricted.

"HIMARS, the firing process starts with the crew receiving information about the target area. In digital form, from reconnaissance sources. The system then calculates the data, which is entered into the missiles, and the trajectory of the projectile is calculated. And without access to this information, of course, this won't happen. If you remember, there was a time when, for example, it was prohibited to strike targets in Russia, and at that stage, these digital maps were limited to Ukrainian territory only. So, what was beyond that, our calculations couldn't see. After the ban was lifted, we were able to see targets on the territory of Russia, military units that were directly involved in aggression against Ukraine. And that's when we started using these systems to target command posts, logistics facilities, and airfields," he explained.

The same process of target designation applies to ATACMS missiles: "They are launched from the same launchers, and the target designation process is virtually identical. That is, information is provided in digital form for a specific area. It is processed as data to be input into the missile or guided projectile. Then, the system carries out the launch. So, without information, the system cannot function."

Will Russian strikes on Ukraine intensify?

Andriy Ryzhenko explained that due to restrictions on intelligence data, Ukrainian forces may have less time to bring air defense systems to combat readiness to repel Russian strikes.

"We will have less time to react to these strikes. First, we have a serious dependence on the Patriot missile system from the United States. This is our main missile, which works against the most dangerous missiles, including ballistic, supersonic, and hypersonic ones. Secondly, the fact that we may detect these planes or missiles later could lead to having fewer air defense systems ready for combat. Because, as I understand it, depending on the architecture of the strike, we know where these missiles will pass, and we can somehow maneuver our air defense firepower. We might reposition or retarget them, and so on. So, there will be less time to respond, and this is why we might be able to intercept fewer missiles, simply because there won't be enough time for it," he said.

• CIA Director John Ratcliffe has officially announced a temporary suspension of U.S. weapons deliveries and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. However, Bloomberg, citing a Ukrainian official, claims that Kyiv is still receiving U.S. intelligence.
• On March 6, Politico reported that NATO member countries are concerned about how intelligence data sharing will occur within the Alliance: due to the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump, the situation may worsen.
• On March 6, ISW reported that the suspension of intelligence sharing between the U.S. and Ukraine would allow Russia to intensify its drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities.