Kathrine Frich
Russian satellites are already flying unusually close to British ones.
Russian satellites are already flying unusually close to British ones.
Putin’s Nuclear Ambitions
Russia is reportedly developing the capability to place nuclear weapons in space, raising alarms among Western defense officials.
UK Space Command’s Major General Paul Tedman issued a stark warning, citing increasing attempts by Moscow to assert control beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
British Satellites Targeted
Tedman stated that UK military satellites are facing weekly jamming attempts by Russian systems based on the ground.
These interference efforts are believed to be calculated and persistent, aiming to hinder communications and surveillance capabilities.
He also revealed that Russian satellites are flying unusually close to British ones, allegedly trying to collect sensitive data.
Testing Anti-Satellite Weapons
According to the UK military, both China and Russia have tested space weapons designed to disable or destroy satellites.
While China may have more advanced technology, Russia is seen as more willing to take aggressive action.
Tedman warned that these developments could change how modern warfare is conducted in the near future.
“They Can See Our Satellites”
Major General Tedman provided chilling insight into Russia’s current orbital tactics.
“They’ve got payloads on board that can see our satellites and are trying to collect information from them,” he said.
This suggests a level of technical sophistication that allows Russia to spy directly on Western military operations from space.
Space Tensions Have Risen
Russia’s space-based aggression has intensified since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe Moscow is using space to “challenge and probe NATO states’ capabilities.”
These probing actions could be part of a long-term plan to prepare for conflict with the West.
US and UK Team Up
In a recent operation between September 4 and 12, the US repositioned a satellite to inspect a British one, confirming its function and status.
The mission was part of Operation Olympic Defender, a collaborative military initiative aimed at defending allied space assets.
Tedman praised the effort, calling it “expertly executed with US Space Command.”
“Put Nuclear Weapons in Space”
During his address, Tedman didn’t mince words about Russia’s intentions.
He stated plainly that Moscow is “developing the capability to put nuclear weapons in space,” an escalation that could have catastrophic implications if ever acted upon.
Such a move would violate existing international treaties and destabilise global security norms.
Germany Also Reports Alarming Russian Space Activity
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius added weight to the concerns, revealing that Russia used two Olymp-K satellites to trail German military satellites.
He explained that Russia, like China, can “jam, blind, manipulate or physically disrupt satellites,” reinforcing fears that a new kind of arms race is underway in space.
NATO Warned It’s Not Ready for This New Front
The rapid escalation of space-based military activity has caught many NATO countries off guard.
Officials are now warning that the alliance is “unprepared” for these modern tactics.
With satellites vital for communications, navigation, and surveillance, the vulnerability of orbital infrastructure has become a critical security concern.
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, which may have used AI in the preparation
