Pistorius, Germany, Russia, space, satellites: defense minister has a plan to defend against attack from Putin.
Germany has raised serious concerns about Russian activity in space regarding its military satellites. German defense minister Boris Pistorius said Thursday that Russian satellites were shadowing German satellites, raising alarm at the prospect that Moscow is looking to space to exert its military force.
Newsweek has contacted the Kremlin for comment. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during a joint press conference on September 23, 2025. JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images) Why It Matters Pistorius’ comments add to international concerns about the development of a new military domain for Russia that lies beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, which could complicate NATO’s efforts at deterrence from its adversaries. What To Know Pistorius told a space conference in Berlin Thursday that Russia and China have expanded their capabilities for warfare in space rapidly in recent years. He said that two Russian Luch-Olymp reconnaissance satellites—launched in 2014 and 2023—were actively tracking Intelsat satellites used by the German military. The Russian devices can disrupt satellite operations, blind satellites, manipulate or kinetically destroy them, Pistorius said, according to Reuters. The Russian satellites had previously been at the center of accusations they were “eavesdropping” on other satellites by stopping nearby. French space startup Aldoria said one conducted a close approach to a satellite in geostationary orbit in May 2024, while U.S. firm Slingshot Aerospace said a Russian satellite was stopping near non-Russian satellites. Pistorius warned that 39 Chinese and Russian reconnaissance satellites were flying over Germany transmitting real-time surveillance data and said NATO allies needed to develop offensive capabilities needed to be developed in space to deter any threat. The minister said satellite networks were the “Achilles’ heel of modern societies” and that attacks on them can paralyze entire nations. He referred to the Russian cyberattack on the ViaSat satellite network before Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine which affected the control of 6,000 wind turbines in Germany. Pistorius announced a €35 billion investment in Berlin’s space programs over the next five years which includes developing satellite constellations to withstand jamming, blinding, and kinetic attacks. There would also be improved orbital surveillance through radars and telescopes, “guardian satellites,” and Germany’s military satellite operations center within the Bundeswehr’s Space Command that was created in 2021, Defense News reported. What People Are Saying German defense minister Oscar Pistorius told a space conference in Berlin: “Russia and China have expanded their capabilities for warfare in space rapidly over the past years. He added: “Russia’s behavior, especially in space, poses a fundamental threat to us all. It is a threat that we can no longer ignore.” What Happens Next Russia has not responded to Germany’s accusations and its investment signals a turning point in its approach to space security. There will be speculation over whether Russia will continue to shadow satellites and what NATO’s response might be.
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