Susanna Riva In an interview with the BBC at his office in Rome, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto expressed strong criticism of a hypothetical US measure aimed at limiting Ukraine's access to satellite systems and intelligence information . He called such an initiative a " total mistake, a huge error, " and warned of its consequences for the strategic balance of the ongoing conflict.
According to Crosetto, the data provided by US satellites is a lifeline for Ukrainian defense operations: it allows for the tracking of Russian movements, the localization of missile launches, and the timely processing of early warnings . A reduction in these flows, however temporary, would give Moscow the perception of Ukrainian weakness, increasing the possibility that President Vladimir Putin will believe he can advance further, thus prolonging the war.
Crosetto's words on the risk of a strategic "stalemate"
In his speech, the minister emphasized that peace "will come when Putin is convinced that there is a stalemate that cannot advance any further." He added that the perception of vulnerability, fueled by potential US restrictions, could lead Moscow to believe it can win, incentivizing new offensives.
Crosetto added that Italy will continue to provide military support to Ukraine "as long as this government remains in office," but warned that parliamentary approval for further supplies could become more difficult as the elections approach.
The internal political context
The minister also disputed rumors that the United States had slowed down the internet speeds provided to Ukraine, reiterating that there was no such decision by the Trump administration , which denied stopping the sharing of early warnings for Russian airstrikes. Crosetto called these claims "completely wrong" and attributed them to a Russian disinformation campaign aimed at undermining domestic consensus in Italy regarding aid to Ukraine.
Russian drone and missile strike: numbers from the night of October 17
In the early hours of October 17, the Ukrainian Air Force faced a massive nighttime strike launched by Russia, involving 332 attack drones and several ballistic and cruise missiles. Preliminary assessments indicate that the Ukrainian defenders in the Far East managed to neutralize 293 targets, limiting the operation's destructive effects.
Among the most dangerous components of the attack were four Kalibr missiles and 289 drones of various types, including the notorious Shahed, the S-8000 Banderoľ , and the Gerbera . The attackers also used Iskander-M and KN-23 ballistic missiles launched from bases in the Voronezh region, Rostov, and occupied Crimea, as well as Kh-22/32 cruise missiles launched from the Black Sea and Novorossiysk.
Consequences on the territory and Ukrainian response
Impacts were recorded in 22 Ukrainian locations , damaging residential buildings, industrial infrastructure, and a manufacturing plant. Some of the debris from the intercepted aircraft fell in three other areas, increasing the danger to the civilian population. In Zaporizhia and Kryvyi Rih, the bombings caused injuries and material damage, confirming Russia's ability to extend the attack beyond the northern front.
Minister Crosetto linked these developments to the importance of the continuity of satellite intelligence systems , reiterating that the absence of such information could make it more difficult for Ukraine to anticipate and neutralize attacks of this magnitude. At the same time, he recalled that Italy has not suffered any significant sabotage attacks, citing the burning of a weapons depot on the outskirts of Rome as the result of "human stupidity" rather than hostile operations.