🔗 Share this article Russia Continuously Targeting UK Satellites, Military Space Chief Says Moscow is trying to disrupt UK military satellites on a regular basis, as stated by the leader of the UK Space Command. Maj Gen Paul Tedman disclosed that Russian forces were consistently attempting to disrupt British defense operations “weekly” and were carefully observing the country’s space assets. “We are observing UK space assets being jammed by Russian forces on a fairly regular basis,” he stated. The UK operates about six dedicated military satellites for communication and observation, which Tedman said were equipped with counter-jamming technology. He further stated: “They possess payloads onboard that are able to observe UK space assets and are trying to collect data from them.” Global Space Threats The threat of space-based interference is not limited to the UK. Earlier this fall, the German defense minister, Boris Pistorius, revealed that Moscow was monitoring Intelsat space systems used by the German military. “They can jam, blind, manipulate or kinetically disrupt space assets,” he stated at a space conference in Berlin. Cooperative Response In response to increasing global friction, the UK and the US last month conducted their initial joint space operation in space, in what defense officials described as a major step forward in allied cooperation. Between 4 and 12 September, a US satellite was repositioned in space to inspect a UK satellite and verify it was functioning properly. The test was part of Operation Olympic Defender, a joint military framework aimed at improving satellite defence and resilience. “Expertly executed with American Space Command, I am extremely satisfied or impressed of the rapid progress we are making with our allies,” Tedman said. Escalating Friction The escalation in space occurs while friction with Moscow continue to rise. The British foreign minister, Yvette Cooper, stated recently that the UK was prepared to respond after the US president, Donald Trump, publicly urged Nato allies to shoot down encroaching Russian planes. In a speech to the United Nations in last month, the foreign secretary condemned Russia's “inflammatory and irresponsible” violations of NATO territory in recent weeks, including events over Estonia, Eastern Europe and Romania.