Associated PressAssociated Press
This Feb. 15, 2022 satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows attack helicopters deployed at Zyabrovka airfield in Belarus. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies via AP)
This Feb. 15, 2022 satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of road construction and new pontoon bridge over the Pripyat River, Belarus. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies via AP)
This Feb. 15, 2022 satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows military equipment positioned in convoy at Lake Donuzlav in Crimea. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies via AP)
This Feb. 15, 2022 satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an area where troops and equipment departed from Zyabrovka airfield in Belarus. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies via AP)
This Feb. 16, 2022 satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows a military convoy headed westbound at Rechitsa in Belarus. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies via AP)
This Feb. 16, 2022 satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows largely empty military deployment areas at Rechitsa in Belarus. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies via AP)
This Feb. 16, 2022 satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows a view of artillery and equipment positioned at the nearby Brest railyard, Belarus. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies via AP)
This Feb. 16, 2022 satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows a view of troops and equipment remain in Brestsky training area, Belarus. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies via AP)
This Feb. 15, 2022 satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of road construction and new pontoon bridge over the Pripyat River, Belarus. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies via AP)
This Feb. 15, 2022 satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows attack helicopters deployed at Zyabrovka airfield in Belarus. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies via AP)

Commercial satellite imagery of Russian troop positions in the vicinity of Ukraine provides a bird's-eye view of the international crisis. The pictures have limitations.

The Russian side of the Ukrainian border, as well as in southern Belarus, and the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia seized from Ukraine, were shown in high-resolution photos from commercial satellite companies.

The images confirmed what the US and other Western officials have been saying. They couldn't give conclusive information about net additions or net departures of Russian forces, or when or if an invasion of Ukraine would happen. Satellite photos might miss changes on the ground in a crisis.

Western officials, citing their own sources of information, have disputed Moscow's claim that it pulled back some forces. Commercial satellite images alone can't provide that level of detail in real time or allow broader conclusions about the Russian military build up.

James Stavridis said that what Maxar provides is very good but not as precise or as timely as what the U.S. national leadership gets.

Before commercial satellite imagery became widely available and distributed online, Russia, the United States and other powers were able to hide their most sensitive military movements from the public. The public can get a better view, but it is not nearly as comprehensive or immediate as the U.S. military can collect.

Combining satellite imagery with real-time video and electronic information can help the U.S. military and intelligence agencies better understand what is happening. Commercial satellite firms are contracted by the U.S. government to provide imagery as a supplement and to ease the strain on imagery collection systems.

Commercial satellite images do not provide irrefutable proof of what the Russian military is doing.

You can see something on a base that looks like it has a lot of activity.

Our goal is to create a safe and engaging place for users to connect over interests and passions. In order to improve our community experience, we are temporarily suspending article commenting
  • A new military pontoon bridge has been established over the Pripyat River in Belarus, less than four miles from the Ukraine border, Maxar Technologies found, as satellite images this week continue to show heightened military activity.

  • The number of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border has increased.

  • Few know that Amazon has millions of Prime subscribers.

  • The sale of 250 tanks to Poland is part of a plan by the United States to strengthen the defences of a key eastern European ally. Austin spoke during a trip to Warsaw, where Polish leaders have been alarmed by the deployment of thousands of Russian forces in neighboring Belarus, which NATO says positions Moscow for an invasion. President Putin does not plan to invade.

  • The defense ministry said the drills were to test combat readiness.

  • An F-35C stealth fighter crash-landed on the deck of the carrier and then slipped off the ship into the South China Sea last month.

  • AdMicrosoft
    • Why this Ad?
    • Go ad-free*

    Put your ideas into action with the cloud products and services from Microsoft.

  • The Russian military on Friday announced massive drills of its strategic forces, a stark reminder of the country's nuclear might amid Western fears that Moscow might be preparing to invade Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin will personally oversee the exercise on Saturday, which will involve multiple practice launches of intercontinental missiles and cruise missiles. The ministry said it planned the maneuvers to check the readiness of Russia's military command and personnel, as well as the reliability of its nuclear and conventional weapons.

  • Russia has reportedly been told by Israel that it will need to evacuate citizens if there is an invasion of Ukraine.

  • The prime minister of Estonia said on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is looking for a successful war in order to lift support at home. Kallas said the situation was grave and that Moscow must not be given any kind of concessions as long as it kept more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine.

  • The man who inspired him can confirm it.

  • Ramon Abbas, the mastermind of multimillion-dollar business email compromise scam whose life will be made into a Hollywood movie, was indicted by the FBI last year. According to the FBI, Kyari used his position as a police officer to detain and intimidate one of Abbas's associates who was going rogue on a scam operation as a favor to Abbas who was his friend and benefactor. While Kyari was suspended from his role, Nigeria's police hierarchy largely let him live as a free man within the country.

  • A spokesman for Naval Sea Systems noted that they were not going to answer anything related to anything of an ongoing, current-day, real-world nature.

  • Russia said it was withdrawing but soon after had troops and tanks enter Georgia and advance across the country.

  • You would think that people would know that the internet never stops.

  • Walmart's better-than-expected results set tone for retailers, and other news to start your day, as well as the scrutiny onTesla forphantom braking.

  • Why would Putin risk an invasion? Analysts suggest that you check his ego.

  • Markets are in turmoil because of conflicting headlines on a potential Russian invasion. In the event of a military conflict, El-Erian said it could cause a deflationary wind through the global economy.

  • AdAmazon.com
    • Why this Ad?
    • Go ad-free*
  • Indian traders have contracted to import a record 100,000 tonnes of soyoil from the United States because of limited supplies from South America, at a time when prices of rival palm oil are scaling record highs. The United States is expected to purchase more soy oil in order to support the price. Lower bean output in Argentina and Brazil caused New Delhi to turn to the United States for its soyoil needs, they said.

  • A German army convoy of 130 soldiers and 60 vehicles arrived in Lithuania on Thursday, bringing almost half of the planned reinforcements for the country. There are signs that Russia is planning to invade Ukraine, including signs that Moscow is carrying out a false flag operation, according to US President Joe Biden.

  • The hot tub is large. There are Pig Roasts. There are houses that are bounce houses. The Freedom Convoy has it all.

  • AdRefinery29
    • Why this Ad?
    • Go ad-free*

    It will be worth it to stay inside with these treats.

  • Silicon Valley lost 40,000 residents in 2021, the largest exodus since the dot-com bust, due in part to a steep drop in migration into the area.

  • The CIA and other U.S. intelligence agencies have beefed up their efforts to gather Moscow's secrets after Russia's annexation of the Black Sea.

  • A controlled burn was stopped by the Cal Fire.