A Russian military spacecraft, Kosmos 2612, has raised alarms after maneuvering dangerously close to a commercial satellite used by Ukraine. US State Department officials have expressed concern that the spacecraft's actions appear consistent with an on-orbit weapons operation, violating long-established safety thresholds in low-Earth orbit. The satellite, launched in April, performed a series of carefully choreographed rocket burns to match orbits with ICEYE-X36, a US-registered radar surveillance satellite owned by ICEYE.
Russian diplomat Konstantin Vorontsov dismissed US concerns as 'unfounded' and 'absurd accusations', insisting all Russian space activity is 'purely peaceful'. The incongruity in statements comes after Vorontsov previously painted a bullseye on commercial satellite networks supporting Ukraine's defense. The close encounter last weekend marks the first official US response since the incident, with officials warning the behavior was 'deliberately reckless'.
Source: Ars Technica · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing