Ukraine tested new space-based missile-intercept weapons – The Guardian

Ukraine carried out three tests of systems designed to intercept targets beyond Earth’s atmosphere. The developments are intended to help counter new Russian threats, in particular the Oreshnik ballistic missiles, which during flight travel into near space. This was reported by Hlavkom with reference to The Guardian.

As the outlet was told by People’s Deputy and chair of the Verkhovna Rada subcommittee on state security Fedir Venislavskyi, Ukraine has already demonstrated the capability to launch exoatmospheric interception systems. Specialists are now working to determine the prospects for their serial production.

“This is a priority task. We have already demonstrated launches of exoatmospheric systems and are working to find out whether we can organize their production,” Venislavskyi said.

At the same time, the deputy acknowledged that financing could be a serious obstacle, since Ukraine is forced to direct significant resources to other defense needs. The development of such technologies is linked, in particular, to Russia’s use of Oreshnik ballistic missiles, which exit the atmosphere before their warheads head toward targets.

Ukraine is building its own satellite network

Another direction in the development of Ukrainian space technologies has been the creation of an independent satellite communications system. Kyiv seeks to reduce dependence on American technologies, including Starlink.

According to Venislavskyi, disruptions in satellite communications that occurred due to decisions by the U.S. authorities or SpaceX created threats to command-and-control systems for Ukrainian forces. In October Ukraine, together with the Danish company GomSpace, announced the successful deployment of the test satellite Obria Nano into orbit.

It is to become the basis of a future independent Ukrainian communications network, which, according to reports, may include about 245 satellites.

Ukraine strikes Russian space infrastructure

The Guardian also draws attention to Ukrainian strikes on Russian space industry facilities. In particular, on 15 August two Ukrainian Flamingo rockets struck buildings of the Progress rocket-and-space center in Samara, Russia, where Soyuz-2 launch vehicles are produced.

Among the damaged facilities was a building where electronic components for rocket launch systems were manufactured. It is the Soyuz rockets that Russia uses to put satellites of its new Rassvet system into orbit, which Moscow is deploying as an alternative to Starlink. In addition, over the year Ukraine attacked other Roscosmos facilities, including the complex in Korolyov near Moscow and the Ukrainian radio telescope in Crimea seized by Russian forces.

Russia threatens foreign satellites

The confrontation is gradually spreading directly to Earth orbit. Recently the Russian satellite Kosmos-2612 performed maneuvers near a radar satellite of the Finnish company Iceye, which provides Ukraine with intelligence data. Experts view such actions as a possible attempt to interfere with the operation of a foreign spacecraft. In particular, the maneuvers can force the satellite to expend additional fuel to change orbit, shortening its operational life.

In addition, Russia uses electronic warfare means to jam satellite signals and laser-blinding technologies against spacecraft. In the view of experts quoted by the publication, space has already become an important component of modern combat operations, since satellites underpin communications, intelligence, navigation, and weapons guidance.