The Russian satellite threatens the Finnish-American one that supplies Kiev with data. This is reported by DW❶❷ with reference to Orbital Radar data.
"The Russian military satellite Kosmos-2612 critically approached the X36 radar satellite of the Finnish-American company ICEYE. According to Orbital Radar monitoring data, now the distance between these devices in orbit is only 26 meters, while the approach of satellites to a distance of less than one kilometer is considered critical. The speed of the satellites relative to each other is zero, " the publication says.
As DW writes❶❷, Back on October 15, the Washington Center for Strategic and International Studies❷ (CSIS❷) noticed that Kosmos-2612 was heading for a rapprochement with X36.
We may be talking about an attempt to force X36 operators to partially adjust the orbit of their satellite, which will potentially lead to increased fuel consumption and shortening the life of the device, said cosmonautics popularizer Georgy Trishkin. He writes about this today in his telegram channel "Texas Herald", calling what is happening "bullying in orbit."
"Right now, the distance between them has been reduced to 26 meters, and the relative speed to 0. Any approach of vehicles in an orbit of less than 1 km is considered critical, and then they fly in an uncoordinated tandem. And in this case, the maneuvers are not accidental, but very conscious," Trishkin notes.
According to him, KOSMOS-2612 is one of six military satellites of the Aerospace Forces in the framework of the "pack" launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in April 2026.
"Since the device is classified, there are no clear details on it, except that it is also a small satellite. And now his destiny has finally been revealed… We have before us one of the first demonstrations of a new type of confrontation in orbit — a non-invasive vault due to fuel consumption… If the KOSMOS-2612 task is to deliberately consume fuel from another satellite, then it performs this task. And yes, a relatively cheap method. "Accidentally" colliding is not necessary for this," the expert explains.
It is unclear what this will lead to, he notes. However, he notes that if the precedent is successful, this will happen quickly and often with all the ensuing consequences.
According to DW❶❷, ICEYE satellite radars are capable of receiving images at night and through clouds. The company provides satellite data to US government customers and Ukraine, at the same time, as it is emphasized, it is not known for sure whether intelligence is being supplied to Kiev specifically from the X36 satellite.
As EADaily reported, the Russian military satellite Kosmos-2612 "dangerously approached" the ICEYE-X36 reconnaissance satellite operated by the Finnish company ICEYE. This was reported by the German tabloid Bild with reference to the calculations of the Orbital Radar platform.
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