The Daily Populous Monday March 30th, 2026 morning edition
Authored by pravda.com.ua and submitted by pravda_eng_official

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia took satellite images of a US air base in Saudi Arabia three times in the days leading up to an Iranian strike that wounded American personnel.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with NBC News, recorded in Qatar on Saturday

Details: During the interview, Zelenskyy shared a summary from the daily presidential briefing he receives from Ukraine's intelligence services. The report stated that Russian satellites had taken images of Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on 20, 23 and 25 March.

On 26 March, Iran struck the base, where US and Saudi forces are stationed. According to US officials, 12 American service members were injured as a result of the strike.

Zelenskyy said that based on Ukraine's experience, Russia's repeated photographing of facilities over several days is a sign of preparation for an attack.

"We know that if they make images once, they are preparing. If they make images a second time, it's like a simulation. The third time it means that in one or two days, they will attack," he said.

NBC News noted, however, that Zelenskyy did not provide evidence of the Russian satellite imagery or reveal how Ukraine had become aware of it.

Zelenskyy stated that he is "100%" certain that Russia is passing such intelligence to Iran to help it strike US forces in the Middle East.

"I think that it's in Russia's interest to help Iranians. And I don't believe – I know – that they share information... Do they help Iranians? Of course. How many per cent? One hundred per cent," the Ukrainian president said.

He also said he believes Russian ruler Vladimir Putin is hoping for a "long war in the Middle East".

"[Putin] has benefits, a lot of benefits, of this war," Zelenskyy said, pointing to rising oil prices and the temporary lifting of some US sanctions on Russian oil, which means additional revenues for the Kremlin.

Asked whether he believes US President Donald Trump cares about the future of Ukraine, Zelenskyy "paused for a moment", NBC News said.

"I hope so," he said. "You know the policy of the United States today. They care about the United States more. It's understandable, by the way. We understand it, and I think that the American team is very open about it."

Speaking to journalists on 28 March, Zelenskyy said that rather than lifting sanctions, more pressure should be put on Russia, which is passing intelligence to Iran for its strikes on US and British bases in the Middle East.

The president cited intelligence data which indicates that Russian satellites have been photographing US military and energy sites across the Middle East in Iran's interests. On 24 March, they imaged the US-UK base on the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, Kuwait International Airport and part of the Greater Burgan oilfield. On 25 March, they photographed Prince Sultan Air Base – later struck by Iran – and on 26 March, the Shaybah oil and gas field and İncirlik Air Base.

codecrodie on March 29th, 2026 at 17:29 UTC »

Why wouldnt Russia prolong this conflict? I would add fire to both sides if i was Putin, it only makes sense.

Horror-Mess-1347 on March 29th, 2026 at 17:12 UTC »

Classic Russia-Iran cooperation

Adorable-Database187 on March 29th, 2026 at 17:12 UTC »

> Details: During the interview, Zelenskyy shared a summary from the daily presidential briefing he receives from Ukrainian intelligence services. The report stated that Russian satellites had taken images of Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on 20, 23 and 25 March.

> "We know that if they make images once, they are preparing. If they make images a second time, it's like a simulation. The third time it means that in one or two days, they will attack," he said.