In a stark reminder of the evolving nature of modern warfare, British defense officials have confirmed that Russian satellites are actively jamming and stalking UK military satellites on a weekly basis. This revelation, made public on October 3, 2025, by Major General Paul Tedman, the head of the UK Space Command, signals a significant escalation in space-based hostilities and underscores the mounting risks faced by Western nations in orbit.
"We’re seeing our satellites being jammed by the Russians on a reasonably persistent basis," Tedman told BBC, adding, "They’ve got payloads on board that can see our satellites and are trying to collect information from them." When pressed about the frequency, Tedman was blunt: "Weekly." The general’s words paint a picture of a relentless campaign by Moscow, one that has only intensified since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The UK currently operates about half a dozen dedicated military satellites, each equipped with advanced counter-jamming technology. These satellites form the backbone of British defense operations, providing critical communications, surveillance, and navigation capabilities to armed forces. Yet, as Tedman explained, the persistent interference from Russian ground-based systems is more than a technical nuisance—it’s a growing existential threat to national security. "Space is the nervous system on which the UK’s armed forces increasingly depend," he emphasized during his visit to RAF Fylingdales, Britain’s Ballistic Missile Early Warning System in North Yorkshire.
Britain is not alone in facing this new front. Last month, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius reported similar harassment of military satellites used by Berlin, confirming that Russian spacecraft had also been shadowing German assets. The pattern is clear: Russia is systematically targeting Western military satellites, seeking to disrupt, surveil, and potentially disable them as part of a broader campaign of space-based aggression.
The escalation in orbit is closely tied to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Since the outbreak of war, Russia’s willingness to weaponize space has grown markedly. Moscow has not only tested anti-satellite weapons but has also developed lasers designed to dazzle or disrupt adversary spacecraft, according to Western intelligence agencies. Both Russia and China have increased their satellite fleets by a staggering 70% over the past decade, rapidly shifting the balance of power in space and heightening the stakes for all involved.
Major General Tedman offered a sobering assessment of the current threat landscape. "I would say the Chinese have by far the more sophisticated capability, but the Russians have more will to use their counter-space systems," he remarked. While the Pentagon sees China as the long-term "pacing threat," it is Russia’s immediate, aggressive use of counter-space technology that has Western officials on high alert.
Further raising tensions, Russia has formally informed international regulators that it would consider European satellites aiding Ukraine’s military as "legitimate targets." This declaration has been matched by a campaign of GPS and satellite signal jamming, with the Kremlin signaling its readiness to escalate the conflict into the orbital domain. The implications are profound: as the world’s militaries become increasingly reliant on satellite data for everything from targeting to logistics, the vulnerability of these assets becomes a critical concern.
In response to these provocations, the UK and US have deepened their cooperation in space defense. Last month, the two allies conducted their first coordinated satellite maneuver under Operation Olympic Defender, a high-profile exercise aimed at enhancing the resilience and interoperability of allied satellite systems. This joint effort marks a significant step forward in building a united front against adversarial actions in space.
Inside the operations center at RAF Fylingdales, the atmosphere is one of constant vigilance. The base, with its iconic pyramid structure housing thousands of antennas, serves as the nerve center for monitoring missile launches and hostile acts in orbit. Personnel remain plugged into a global network of satellites and sensors, ready to detect and respond to threats within minutes. Yet, as Tedman candidly admits, the UK remains heavily dependent on American technology and expertise for much of its space defense infrastructure.
The British government has promised significant new investments to address these vulnerabilities. Plans are underway to allocate a billion pounds to integrated air and missile defense, including the development of sensors capable of detecting laser-based threats. These measures are seen as essential steps to keep pace with adversaries who are rapidly expanding their capabilities in space. However, concerns persist that Britain may be falling behind. At present, only 1% of the UK’s defense budget is devoted to space—compared to France’s 3% and the US’s 5%—raising questions about the country’s long-term ability to secure its interests in orbit.
The broader context of this space race is impossible to ignore. Around 45,000 objects now orbit the Earth, including about 9,000 satellites, and another 300 rocket launches are expected this year alone. As the number of active satellites grows, so too does the risk of accidental or deliberate collisions, signal interference, and even outright attacks. Russia and China have both demonstrated their willingness to test anti-satellite weapons and develop new technologies to disrupt Western assets, while the US and its allies scramble to adapt and respond.
For Ukraine, the consequences of this orbital conflict are immediate and dire. Russian attacks have already knocked out power to critical sites, including the Chernobyl nuclear facility, raising fears of potential radiation incidents. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned these actions as deliberate attempts to create global threats, urging international organizations to respond with more than just half-measures.
Meanwhile, the rhetoric from Moscow remains defiant. Russian officials have dismissed comparisons to the Cold War, insisting that the current confrontation with the West is "fiery" and not merely "cold." Accusations of sabotage, drone incursions, and airspace violations abound, with both sides blaming each other for provocative acts and rising defense budgets. The line between earthbound and orbital conflict grows ever thinner.
As Britain’s economic and military dependence on space continues to grow—an estimated £450 billion of the economy is tied to orbital assets—the urgency for investment and innovation in space defense becomes ever more pressing. The jamming, stalking, and shadowing of satellites are not isolated provocations; they are harbingers of a new era in which the boundaries between earth and orbit blur, and the race for supremacy moves ever higher. The UK’s recent steps toward bolstering its space defenses are crucial, but the facts point to a stark reality: the contest for control in orbit is accelerating, and the stakes—both strategic and economic—have never been higher.
Adaptation and investment will be vital if Western alliances are to maintain resilience in the face of persistent and evolving threats from above.
