August M
German officials have warned that Russian reconnaissance satellites are now passing over Germany dozens of times each day, signalling what they describe as a sharp escalation in Moscow’s space-based intelligence activity
European defence officials are sounding the alarm over increasingly aggressive activity in orbit, as Germany confirms a surge in Russian satellite overflights and growing interference with European space assets.
The developments come amid wider concerns that Moscow is expanding its hybrid warfare into space.
According to reporting by The Express, a recent German government reply to a parliamentary question from the Green Party revealed that Russian satellites now pass over Germany “a double-digit number” of times each day.
Officials say this uptick has coincided with multiple incidents of disruption to both German and European satellites over the past five years.
Expanding Russian activity
According to The Express, Sebastian Hartmann, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, said the frequency of overflights has increased alongside broader Russian attempts to track or interfere with Western satellites.
Defence minister Boris Pistorius previously warned that Russia had been shadowing spacecraft used by Germany’s armed forces, including two Intelsat units monitored by the “Luch/Olimp” satellite system.
The report adds to mounting evidence that Moscow is seeking to broaden its confrontation with Europe into space-based intelligence gathering and disruption efforts.
Germany responds with new strategy
In reaction to Russia’s and China’s rapidly growing orbital capabilities, Berlin has adopted a new national space security strategy. The Express notes that €35bn has been set aside for projects focused on protection, reconnaissance and deterrence.
At the strategy’s launch, Pistorius stressed the need for a credible defensive posture in orbit. He cited Russia’s routine jamming of GPS signals in the Baltic Sea region, arguing that “deterrence and defence in space” must be expanded.
Security expert Antje Nötzold of the Bundeswehr University told Süddeutsche Zeitung that the threat is now “real and serious”, adding that “space is a space for warfare”.
UK reports similar pressure
Britain has also accused Russia of stalking military satellites. In an October interview with the BBC, Maj Gen Paul Tedman, head of UK Space Command, said Russian spacecraft fly “relatively close” to British assets and attempt to gather intelligence.
He described persistent efforts to jam UK satellites using ground-based systems, though he noted that British military platforms are equipped with countermeasures. Still, he said jamming attempts occur “on a reasonably persistent basis”.
Sources: The Express; BBC;
