USA Global Hawk now flying orbits on the Donbass/Ukraine line for Artillery spotting?

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Why is an American Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk gathering intelligence for artillery strikes for hours into the Donbass Region?

Latitude 48.1105
Longitude 35.8619

A NOTAM (Notice to airmen) has been issued to say that all airspace over the Ukraine is closed.

Upadate: 02:43 AM GMT 24 February 2022

RQ-4B Global Hawk has left its orbits.

Forte 12 appears to be departing the Donbass area Forte 12 appears to be departing the Donbass area following the issuance of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that Ukraine Airspace is closed.

Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk Track 170 deg. Altitude 53,000 ft. Ground speed: 304 Kts. Registration: 09-2039. LATITUDE 48.1105
LONGITUDE 35.8619 Source: FlightRadar24

The Global Hawk is operated by the United States Air Force (USAF).

It is used as a High-Altitude Long Endurance platform covering the spectrum of intelligence collection capability to support forces in worldwide military operations. According to the USAF, the superior surveillance capabilities of the aircraft allow more precise weapons targeting and better protection of friendly forces.

RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system (UAS) Intelligence gathering aircraft used by the U.S Air Force to relay intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data to fighting units on the ground. Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Bobbi Zapka

According to Northrop Grumman, “the RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system (UAS) is the premier provider of persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information. Able to fly at high altitudes for greater than 30 hours, Global Hawk is designed to gather near-real-time, high-resolution imagery of large areas of land in all types of weather – day or night. Beyond intelligence collection a portion of the Global Hawk fleet has supported air and ground users with communications relay support. The EQ-4B Global Hawk previously carried the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) payload providing life-saving support to warfighters.”

Courtesy Northrop Grumman