Russian Spy Satellites Suspected of Intercepting Key European Space Assets

According to Western space authorities, the Russian satellites — known as Luch-1 and Luch-2 — have been conducting repeated close-proximity manoeuvres near European geostationary satellites, remaining nearby for weeks or even months at a time, according to a report by the Financial Times.

Orbital data and ground-based telescope observations show that since its launch in 2023, Luch-2 alone has approached at least 17 European satellites, many of which are operated by NATO-based entities.

“These satellites are suspected of conducting signals intelligence operations,” Major General Michael Traut, head of Germany’s military space command, said, noting that the Russian vehicles were positioning themselves unusually close to Western communications satellites.

Unencrypted Command Links Raise Security Risks

A senior European intelligence official warned that many European satellites remain vulnerable because their command data is not encrypted, as they were launched years ago without advanced onboard computing or encryption systems.

Officials believe the Russian spacecraft were positioning themselves within the narrow data transmission cones linking satellites to Earth-based ground stations, potentially allowing Moscow to record command signals used to control satellite orbits.

This could enable hostile actors to later mimic ground controllers, issue false commands, manipulate satellite trajectories, or in extreme cases, cause satellites to drift off course or re-enter the atmosphere.

Hybrid Warfare Extending Into Space

The suspected space interceptions come amid growing concern that Russia is expanding its hybrid warfare tactics in Europe, following sabotage incidents such as damage to subsea internet and power cables.

European intelligence and military officials increasingly fear that similar disruptive activities could be extended into space, exploiting the vulnerability of satellite networks that underpin modern civilian, commercial and military communications.

“Satellite networks are an Achilles’ heel of modern societies,” German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said in a speech last September. “Whoever attacks them can paralyse entire nations.”

Civilian Satellites With Sensitive Roles

While the targeted satellites are primarily used for civilian purposes such as satellite television, officials noted that many also carry government and limited military communications, increasing the strategic significance of the suspected interceptions.

Although Luch-1 and Luch-2 are not believed to have the capability to directly destroy or jam satellites, intelligence officials said the data gathered could help Russia develop ground-based jamming or cyber operations against Western space assets.

Monitoring satellite usage can also reveal who is using them, when and where — intelligence that could later be exploited for targeted interference.

Growing Russian Reconnaissance Capabilities

Space analysts say Russia appears to be accelerating its orbital reconnaissance programme. Two additional satellites, Cosmos 2589 and Cosmos 2590, were launched last year and appear to have manoeuvrable capabilities similar to the Luch vehicles.

One of them is reportedly moving toward geostationary orbit, roughly 35,000 kilometres above Earth, where many of Europe’s most critical satellites operate.

However, Luch-1 may no longer be fully operational. On January 30, telescopic observations detected what appeared to be a propulsion-related gas plume followed by partial fragmentation, suggesting a possible malfunction.

Escalating Threat Perception

Analysts tracking Russian satellite activity say the repeated approaches to the same satellite operators point to deliberate intelligence-gathering missions.

“They have visited the same families, the same operators — all NATO-based,” said one senior orbital analyst, adding that even without decryption capabilities, significant operational intelligence can still be extracted.

European officials warned that Russia’s increasingly assertive behaviour in space represents a fundamental security challenge that Western governments can no longer afford to overlook.