The movement of Russian military satellites near Western equipment providing intelligence to Ukraine has raised concerns about a potential threat to the Starlink network, operated by SpaceX under Elon Musk's leadership. This was warned by General Michael Traut, commander of Germany's Space Forces, in an interview with Reuters published this Friday (9).
In May 2026, four Russian military satellites, identified as Cosmos 2610, 2611, 2612, and 2613, approached a commercial radar imaging satellite. According to US Space Forces, the Russian equipment performed maneuvers near the apparatus belonging to the Finnish company ICEYE.
ICEYE confirmed to Reuters that one of its satellites was involved in this incident. ICEYE provides data to the United States and allied countries, including information used for battlefield intelligence in Ukraine.
Assessment of Threats from Russia
General Traut characterized the movement of the Russian satellites as a form of shadowing of the Finnish company's equipment. In the general's view, such activity demonstrates capabilities that could affect larger commercial constellations like Starlink, even without a direct attack.
Traut told Reuters: "Russia is demonstrating methods that, if applied directly against a mega-constellation like Starlink, could affect its service life and quality for all users, not just for Ukraine." He added: "This worries me greatly."
According to Western military sources polled by Reuters, Russia's interference in Western space systems has significantly increased since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. Documented actions include electronic jamming conducted from land, as well as tracking satellites in orbit to gather information and demonstrate capabilities.
Russia has not disclosed the capabilities of the Cosmos satellites involved in the incident. The Ministry of Defence did not respond to Reuters' questions regarding the movement of this equipment. Moscow has repeatedly stated that commercial Western satellites assisting Ukraine could become legitimate targets for retaliatory measures. Meanwhile, the Russian government denies conducting sabotage operations in NATO countries.
Response Measures by Germany and ICEYE
In light of this situation, Germany is developing inspection satellites and assessing orbital technologies capable of disrupting hostile space activities without destroying the involved equipment. These initiatives are part of the country's plan to expand its military space capabilities.
The German armed forces have also signed a contract with ICEYE and a German company to build dozens of satellites, with a particular focus on supporting the eastern flank of NATO. ICEYE itself took steps after the May incident. According to its CEO Rafal Modzewski, the company repositioned the involved satellite, after which new movements by Russian craft occurred. For him, this case shows how space equipment can approach each other both for observation and for potential damage.
SpaceX, the operator of Starlink, did not respond to Reuters' request for comment.
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