A Russian military satellite recently maneuvered dangerously close to a US-registered commercial satellite that provides key data to Ukraine.
A Russian military satellite recently moved very close to a US-registered radar satellite. Experts believe this radar satellite provides intelligence to Ukraine. Tracking data shows the Russian craft, named Cosmos 2612, approached within 500 metres of the ICEYE-X36 satellite.
Next, the Russian satellite performed several maneuvers near the commercial device. This satellite belongs to the US branch of a Finnish company. Although it is private, the company sells critical data to military forces.
Also, this incident marks a shift in Russian tactics. Historically, Russia targeted military-owned satellites rather than commercial ones. Analysts say this move suggests Russia no longer distinguishes between the two types of targets.
Meanwhile, the closeness of the encounter raises security concerns. A gap of five kilometres is considered very short in space. Experts warn that Russia could potentially intercept data or jam signals from this proximity.
However, an outright attack remains unlikely for now. Experts suggest such an action would trigger an unpredictable response from the United States. Furthermore, destroying a satellite creates dangerous space debris for all nations.
After that, researchers noted the political goal of this activity. Russia likely aims to intimidate its enemies and show that space assets are not safe. This serves as a reminder of Russia's past demonstrations of anti-satellite capabilities.
Still, Moscow describes such spacecraft as inspector satellites. Officials claim these maneuvers are common practice for many countries. They deny that these actions constitute a direct threat.
Finally, Ukraine continues to face pressure regarding its access to satellite data. The US recently limited some military-grade space services for the country. Kyiv must now rely on a mix of commercial and sovereign radar sources to maintain its vision.