Lyce · Hybrid Watch
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Russian military satellite Kosmos-2612 approaches Finnish-American ICEYE-X36 reconnaissance satellite.
On 18 October 2026, the Russian military satellite Kosmos-2612 made an unusually close approach to ICEYE-X36, a radar-imaging satellite operated by Finnish-American company ICEYE, whose satellite imagery supports Ukrainian military intelligence. Following a series of orbital adjustments beginning approximately four days earlier, the Russian spacecraft approached the satellite at 01:35 UTC. Astronomer Marco Langbroek estimated the separation at between 26 and 470 metres, reflecting uncertainty in available orbital measurements. Commercial tracking organisations independently documented the manoeuvres, which followed previous approaches involving Russian spacecraft Kosmos-2610, 2611, 2612 and 2613 during spring 2026. Experts raised concerns about potential intelligence collection, collision risks and the demonstration of Russian counterspace capabilities.
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On 18 October 2026, the Russian military satellite Kosmos-2612 made an unusually close approach to ICEYE-X36, a radar-imaging satellite operated by Finnish-American company ICEYE, whose satellite imagery supports Ukrainian military intelligence. Following a series of orbital adjustments beginning approximately four days earlier, the Russian spacecraft approached the satellite at 01:35 UTC. Astronomer Marco Langbroek estimated the separation at between 26 and 470 metres, reflecting uncertainty in available orbital measurements. Commercial tracking organisations independently documented the manoeuvres, which followed previous approaches involving Russian spacecraft Kosmos-2610, 2611, 2612 and 2613 during spring 2026. Experts raised concerns about potential intelligence collection, collision risks and the demonstration of Russian counterspace capabilities.