Russian Satellite Comes Within 100 Metres of Finnish ICEYE Spacecraft Supporting Ukraine

A Russian military satellite came within 100 metres of a Finnish-operated commercial spacecraft supporting Ukraine on October 18, according to orbital tracking data analysed by AFP.

Cosmos-2612 approached ICEYE-X36 after changing course and adjusting its orbit to closely match the other satellite. ICEYE-X36 is operated by Finland’s ICEYE under contract with the United States.

By Monday morning, the Russian spacecraft was moving away, with several kilometres separating the two satellites.

Close approach raises concerns

Space security specialists said the manoeuvres raised concerns about possible inspection, monitoring or interference. Clayton Swope of the Center for Strategic and International Studies told AFP that the deliberate orbital alignment made the encounter particularly concerning.

However, Swope stressed that it was impossible to confirm whether Cosmos-2612 carried a weapon.

ICEYE said it was aware of the incident and monitoring it closely. Its radar satellites can capture imagery at night and through cloud cover, providing information valuable to Ukraine’s military.

Earlier Russian satellite manoeuvres drew scrutiny

Russia launched Cosmos-2612 in April, and the spacecraft began changing course in late September.

The US Space Force previously accused Russia of using unusually fuel-intensive manoeuvres in May to position four military satellites near a Western commercial satellite used by Ukraine.

Analysts at the US-based ISR Institute have also predicted another close approach involving Russian satellites and an ICEYE spacecraft in the coming weeks.