Four Russian military satellites closed in on a Western spacecraft supplying intelligence to Ukraine. Germany’s space commander now warns that similar tactics could threaten Elon Musk’s Starlink, potentially affecting users far beyond the battlefield.
In May, four Russian military satellites followed a Finnish satellite that provides battlefield images to Ukraine.
Major General Michael Traut, head of German space command, described the Russian spacecraft as “chasing” the satellite. He thinks similar tactics could be used against Starlink.
How Russia Could Disrupt Starlink Without Firing a Shot
Traut warned that Moscow could use “grey-zone” tactics to interfere with Starlink while avoiding an open military confrontation.
He described one hypothetical scenario:
- A Russian satellite enters a Starlink orbital path and breaks apart.
- The debris could force other satellites to change course to avoid collisions.
Every maneuver consumes fuel. Repeated evasions could shorten satellites’ working lives and affect internet service, including for civilians outside Ukraine.
The threat remains hypothetical. There is no reported Russian debris attack on Starlink.
However, the earlier ICEYE encounter was real. The Finnish company tried to move its satellite away from the Russians, but they continued to follow it.
Europe Prepares for a New Space Threat
Western officials say Russian interference with satellite systems has increased since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. They cite satellite shadowing and ground-based signal jamming.
Moscow has warned that commercial satellites assisting Ukraine could become targets. Russia’s defence ministry and Starlink operator SpaceX did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Germany is developing inspection satellites and considering orbital weapons that could disrupt hostile spacecraft without destroying them. Its military has also ordered dozens of satellites to support NATO’s eastern flank.
The incident raises a growing concern for Western governments. Their militaries increasingly depend on private satellite networks, while responsibility for protecting them remains unclear.
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