Officials warn that the intelligence gathered could help coordinate attacks against Western interests, highlighting satellites as a critical vulnerability.

Commentary points to a growing trend of Russia pursuing active space militarization.

Senior officials say these missions likely aim at signals intelligence, positioning Russian observers within the data beams to collect command data for potential future interference.

The interceptions are reportedly unprecedented and pose dangers to sensitive transmissions and to the ability to control or decommission affected satellites.

Experts contend the captured data could help map satellite usage, identify ground terminals, and enable broader or subtler attacks, including ground-based jamming or cyber intrusions.

Military and intelligence analysts warn Moscow could record control data to imitate ground stations and potentially take control of satellites, raising concerns beyond eavesdropping.

Since their 2023 launch, Luch-2 has approached 17 European satellites, with weeks-long proximity observed in orbital data and ground reports.

Over three years, Luch-1 and Luch-2 have conducted repeated suspicious maneuvers and close approaches to major European geostationary satellites serving the UK, Africa, and the Middle East.

Experts emphasize the broader risks to infrastructure that rely on satellite networks and call for encryption and robust defenses for space assets.

Officials warn of possible outcomes beyond eavesdropping, including trajectory manipulation or deliberate satellite damage or deorbiting.

Germany’s defense leadership warns that compromised command channels could let attackers manipulate satellite operations, jeopardizing services like TV, internet, and government communications.

European security officials warn that Russia’s Luch-1 and Luch-2 spacecraft have lingered near and intercepted communications from multiple European satellites, potentially enabling signal interception and manipulation or disruption of satellite operations.