US EditionRussian Satellites Suspected of Intercepting European Communications
The EU’s space shield will protect satellites from Russian reconnaissance that has targeted at least 17 geostationary satellites above Europe, officials said.
- On February 4, 2026, the Financial Times reported Russian satellites Luch-1 and Luch-2 may have intercepted communications from European geostationary satellites serving Europe, the UK, Africa, and the Middle East.
- European officials say many geostationary satellites launched years ago lack modern encryption, while Western observers note intensified Russian proximity operations over the past three years, with Luch-2 approaching at least 17 satellites since its 2023 launch.
- Major General Michael Traut told the FT that both satellites are suspected of 'conducting electronic intelligence,' and analysts say they positioned themselves inside narrow cones of uplink/downlink beams to capture control data.
- Recorded command data could be replayed to mimic ground controllers and send false commands, risking satellite thrusters and orbital control channels being manipulated to alter orbits, force deorbiting, or cause collisions, while exposing classified messages on civilian satellites carrying government and some military communications.
- On January 30, telescopes observed a gas plume and partial fragmentation of Luch-1, linked to expanding Russian space reconnaissance and hybrid warfare tactics, officials say.
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EU launches “space shield” to defend against Russian satellites
The EU has unveiled a new defensive initiative dubbed the “space shield” in response to what officials described as a series of Russian attacks targeting European satellites, Ukrainska Pravda reports on February 4.
Moscow's action jeopardises sensitive information transmitted by European satellites, as well as may allow Russians to manipulate their routes or even destroy them.
Over the last three years, and as the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv continues, two Russian satellites are accused of carrying out spying operations against other European aircraft.
Russia is suspected of conducting electronic reconnaissance over Europe and eavesdropping on sensitive information transmitted by European satellites, the Financial Times (FT) reported.
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