In theory, outer space should be one of the few places left outside of classical conflicts. In practice, it has become a new front in Russia's hybrid war against the West. And Europe seems, once again, caught off guard.
European satellite/PHOTO: Shutterstock
According to a Financial Times investigation, two Russian satellites – “Luch-1” and “Luch-2” – have, in recent years, carried out a series of suspicious maneuvers in orbit, coming dangerously close to at least ten key European satellites. Officials and security experts warn that these “encounters” are far from random and may conceal operations to intercept highly sensitive data, including government and military.
We are not talking about science fiction, but about an inconvenient technological reality: European satellites, many of them launched decades ago, do not have modern encryption systems or high-performance on-board computers. In other words, they transmit data in a way that, in 2026, is simply vulnerable.
Civilian satellites, strategic risks
“Luch-1” and “Luch-2” were seen repeatedly approaching high-altitude European geostationary satellites responsible for key services for the continent – from satellite television to government communications, including for Britain, North Africa and the Middle East.
In some cases, Russian satellites remained “parked” near targets for weeks. Only “Luch-2”, launched in 2023, made no less than 17 such approaches. According to the head of the Bundeswehr Space Command, Major General Michael Traut, there are serious suspicions that Russia is conducting radio-electronic reconnaissance operations directly from orbit.
Officially, most of the targeted European satellites are used for civilian purposes. Unofficially, however, the same platforms can carry government or even military data streams. And this is exactly where the big problem arises.
When “obedience” becomes a weapon
Although experts consider it unlikely that Russian satellites can directly “shoot down” or jam European devices, the real stake is different: access to command and control channels.
If Russia has managed to intercept the data linking the satellites to ground control centers, then the scenario becomes much more serious. In possession of this information, Moscow could impersonate legitimate operators and transmit false commands capable of altering the satellites' trajectories, disabling them or, in extreme cases, forcing them out of orbit.
Moreover, monitoring satellite traffic gives the Russians a strategic bonus: they can find out who is using certain satellites, where, and for what purpose. Such an invisible map of Western technological dependencies is pure gold for subsequent operations of sabotage, hacking or political pressure.
The Kremlin's “Olympic Runners”.
It is not by chance that the “Luch” satellites received the nickname “Olympic runners” in Western jargon. They approach quickly, stay close and “listen”. A lot. Too much to be mere orbital coincidences.
The case highlights an embarrassing reality for Europe: moral superiority and international rules provide no protection against an adversary that treats outer space as a silent battlefield.
While Brussels debates regulations and best practices, Moscow is testing the limits, collecting data and turning Earth's orbit into an extension of its hybrid warfare.
And the lesson is a painful but clear one: in the 21st century, those who do not protect their satellites expose not only their communications, but also their sovereignty.
