---
title: "Dangerous game in orbit: Russian satellites come dangerously close to Finnish spacecraft"
description: "🛰️ Four Russian military satellites dangerously approached the Finnish Iceye-X36 satellite used by Ukraine. Experts consider this a test of non-kinetic influence technologies and a signal to NATO about the vulnerability of Western space infrastructure. 🚀"
date: 2026-06-24T14:22:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/dangerous-game-in-orbit-russian-satellites-approach-finnish-spacecraft
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Dangerous game in orbit: Russian satellites come dangerously close to Finnish spacecraft

![Finnish satellite in orbit during dangerous approach by Russian satellites](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/24/rossijskie-sputniki-opasnoe-sblizhenie-s-finlandskim-apparatom/rossijskie-sputniki-opasnoe-sblizhenie-s-finlandskim-apparatom-1.webp)

In space, at an altitude of about 550 kilometers, a tense situation has unfolded that could set a precedent for new threats in the space domain. Four Russian military satellites performed a dangerous approach to the Finnish radar satellite Iceye-X36. This satellite, developed by a private company, is actively used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine for monitoring and reconnaissance.

### Anomalous activity in orbit

Unusual activity was detected by the private space surveillance company Okapi:Orbits. Russian spacecraft, designated "Kosmos-2610" through "Kosmos-2613," approached the Finnish satellite to a critically short distance — less than 13 kilometers. For context: in low Earth orbit, objects move at speeds of about 28,000 kilometers per hour. Under such conditions, any maneuver requires the highest precision, and an approach at such a distance is viewed by the international community as a potentially hostile act.

The launch of the carrier with these satellites took place on April 17 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The "Soyuz-2.1b" launch vehicle placed six military satellites into orbit. However, the active phase of events only unfolded in mid-May: four of the six satellites began rapidly changing orbits, aggressively reducing the distance to the Western satellite while consuming significant reserves of onboard fuel.

### Technologies of non-kinetic influence

Experts analyzing the situation lean towards the opinion that Russia is testing technologies of non-kinetic influence. This means that the goal of the operation may not have been the physical destruction of the satellite, but rather a demonstration of the ability to disrupt its operation. This refers to possible jamming of radio communications, blinding optical sensors with laser radiation, or blocking data transmission channels, which would paralyze Ukraine's ability to obtain intelligence information.

Experts consider the physical destruction of the Iceye-X36 satellite unlikely. To date, there have been no recorded cases in the public domain where one country openly shot down another country's satellite, which could trigger an immediate escalation of the conflict.

### A signal to the West and NATO

Juliane Züß, an expert from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), notes that deploying four completely new satellites and expending expensive fuel just to restrain their actions is logically unjustified. According to her, the Kremlin is trying to send a stern signal to the West and NATO by demonstrating the vulnerability of their space infrastructure.

The operator of the Iceye satellite and the Russian side have officially declined to comment on the incident. Nevertheless, this episode fits into the general picture of Moscow's increased hybrid pressure on European security.

### Background: preparation for a large-scale conflict

Events in orbit are taking place against the backdrop of Russia's active militarization. Earlier, Lithuanian intelligence reported that Moscow is creating new military units near NATO borders, using the experience of the war against Ukraine to carry out large-scale army reforms. According to analysts, Moscow aims to increase troop numbers by 30–50% compared to the pre-war period and fully restore strategic weapon reserves.

Despite Western sanctions, the RF expects to achieve full combat readiness for a direct military confrontation with the Alliance within the next six years. At the same time, Warsaw has warned of the risks of large-scale provocations "under a foreign flag," comparing possible actions by the Kremlin to Nazi stage-managed events of 1939. According to Polish diplomats, such steps are needed by the RF leadership to justify further escalation and new strikes.