Russian Satellites Conduct Aggressive Maneuvers Against Finnish ICEYE Satellites

Russian military satellites are conducting aggressive rendezvous and proximity operations against commercial radar satellites operated by the Finnish company ICEYE. In mid-October, the Russian spacecraft Cosmos 2612 maneuvered to within approximately 500 meters of the ICEYE X36 satellite over South America. Two additional Russian satellites are currently drifting toward the orbit of a second ICEYE satellite, X37.

U.S. Under Secretary of State Thomas DiNanno characterized the conduct as consistent with on-orbit weapons operations, while analyst Greg Gillinger described the event as an attack rehearsal. Space-tracking firm LeoLabs identified the activity as the most advanced and potentially dangerous uncooperative rendezvous and proximity operation they have observed.

Russia has previously warned that quasi-civilian infrastructure supporting Ukraine could become legitimate targets for retaliation, and ICEYE radar imagery has been used by Ukraine to strike Russian targets. While some experts view these maneuvers as tests of kinetic attack capabilities, Germany's space commander Maj. Gen. Michael Traut suggested the activity could be for inspection or electronic interference. The Russian defense ministry has not commented on the maneuvers, though Moscow has called U.S. claims absurd.