Russian Spy Satellites Helping Iran’s Allies Target Sites in Saudi Arabia – AP

Oct. 28, 2026 A large plume of black smoke rises from the fuel storage area at King Khalid International Airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. REUTERS Russian satellites have consistently appeared in the skies above facilities in Saudi Arabia that Iranian-backed Houthis and Iraqi militia groups have struck with missiles and drones over the past several months, the Associated Press reported Tuesday. Nawaf Obaid, founder of the Geneva-based firm AURORAH Geosignal Intelligence, told the news agency that he and his colleagues tracked 72 Russian military and government satellites between July and October, finding them orbiting above Saudi sites before and after they were attacked. “What we found is a 100% match,” Obaid said. The targeted facilities include Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline, which was forced to shut down immediately after it was attacked in September. Another example is the Kind Fahd Air Base. When the base was attacked last month, an Italian fighter jet was struck while a nearby Saudi aircraft was left unscathed. Obaid said the apparent precision of the strike on Kind Fahd suggests vital intelligence is being collected and transferred for Houthi and Iraqi militia targeting, given that the groups lack sophisticated reconnaissance capabilities on their own. An official briefed on Saudi investigations into the recent attacks told AP that evidence showed Russian satellites were being used for targeting. A senior Houthi official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Iranian military advisers are directly providing the Russian reconnaissance information. Moscow is one of Tehran’s closest partners and has repeatedly condemned the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. In 2025, the two countries signed a strategic partnership agreement that includes provisions for countering shared threats. American officials, including President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have sought to minimize a growing number of reports that Russia is actively helping Iran target U.S. forces in the Middle East. Trump claimed last week that Russia is “doing very little, if anything” to help Iran in the war. That came as President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Russia is ready to play a mediating role in ending the conflict. Read more about: Middle East , Iran , Saudi Arabia Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Moscow Police Detain Iranians Celebrating Khamenei’s Death – Reports Participants reportedly shouted “Thank you, United States of America” and ignored officers’ orders to disperse. 2 Min read Russia Evacuates Citizens From Middle East as Iran Conflict Upends Air Travel Around 4,500 Russians are expected to return from the UAE and Oman via evacuation flights on Tuesday, the Transportation Ministry said. 2 Min read Kremlin Says Merkel, Putin to Discuss Middle East Crisis in Moscow German Chancellor Angela Merkel is traveling to Russia at Putin's invitation. Israel Rejects Russian Offer to Rein in Iranian Forces in Syria Russia's top diplomat and top general were dispatched to Jerusalem as Syrian government forces routed rebels near the Golan.