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Germany and the United Kingdom have recently raised alarms about the increasing threat posed by Russian and Chinese satellites in space. These satellites have reportedly been observed spying on Western satellites, particularly those used for military and communication purposes. In recent weeks, German officials highlighted numerous incidents where Russian satellites have stalked, jammed, and interfered with their space assets. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the seriousness of these actions, calling them a fundamental threat that can no longer be ignored. Such disruptions can affect satellite imagery, telecommunications, broadband internet, and even navigation systems, which are vital for both military operations and civilian aviation.
This surge in hostile satellite activity comes amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where Russia has reportedly deepened cooperation with China. Chinese satellites have been conducting reconnaissance over Ukrainian territories, assisting Moscow's war efforts. The German Defense Minister revealed that two Russian reconnaissance satellites were tracked closely following IntelSat satellites, which are used by the German Armed Forces and their allies. IntelSat, a commercial satellite provider, supports various governments and companies across Europe and the US. According to Pistorius, both Russia and China have rapidly increased their space warfare capabilities, including jamming, blinding, manipulating, and potentially destroying satellites. In response, Germany announced plans to inject billions of euros into its space programs.
The UK has echoed these concerns. Major General Paul Tedman, head of the UK Space Command, stated that Russian satellites are regularly stalking British space assets and jamming them on a weekly basis. These jamming operations mainly rely on ground-based systems, and Russia has been advancing its electronic warfare skills amid the Ukraine conflict. Moreover, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned about Russia's ambitions to develop nuclear weapons capable of disabling and destroying satellites in space. Although Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied any intention of deploying nuclear arms in space, Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution in 2024 that called for a ban on space-based nuclear weapons. China abstained from voting on this resolution.
Detecting satellite spying involves tracking foreign satellites’ movements and behaviors. Although it’s relatively straightforward to locate satellites, determining their precise intent and capabilities is challenging. Experts, like Clayton Swope from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, explain that if a satellite lingers near a European communications satellite for extended periods, it’s likely spying. Russian satellites near IntelSat's assets are believed to be intercepting signals. There have also been instances where Russian satellites in lower orbits tested weapons-like devices, even firing projectiles. Such satellites often shadow others, creating concerns they may act as "sleeper cells" ready to strike. However, distinguishing between satellites used purely for intelligence gathering and those equipped as weapons remains difficult.
The threat from Russia isn’t new. The US and France first reported Russian satellites spying on their assets over a decade ago. For example, in 2015, a Russian military satellite was found parked near two IntelSat satellites, causing diplomatic friction. Following the 2017 launch of a French-Italian intelligence satellite, Russian satellites quickly moved close to inspect it. Analysts say these ongoing satellite behaviors must be understood within the broader context of Russia's military actions, including airspace violations near NATO territories.
China represents an equally significant threat, arguably more so than Russia, experts say. While Russia's threats are more immediate to Europe due to geography, China is considered the larger space power with advanced capabilities. Chinese satellites have demonstrated sophisticated maneuvers near other satellites, including using robotic arms to move satellites into different orbits. China’s financial resources enable it to sustain active space operations, unlike Russia, which currently faces resource constraints. Many of China’s space activities remain opaque, leaving international observers puzzled about its true intentions.
Europe is responding with increased investment. Germany announced a budget of up to €35 billion ($40.2 billion) over the next five years for space-related projects aimed at boosting defense and technology capabilities to counter these emerging threats. This significant funding commitment reflects the seriousness with which European nations now view the militarization of space and the risks posed by rival powers like Russia and China.
