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Russian Satellite Makes a Menacing Approach to Another Craft in Orbit
Russia's Kosmos 2612 military satellite conducted a series of unusually close approaches to ICEYE-X36, a US-registered commercial synthetic-aperture-radar satellite, according to orbital tracking reported in October 2026. LeoLabs assessed that the spacecraft came within approximately 500 meters of each other and subsequently said Kosmos 2612 had maneuvered away, ending the close-proximity activity. ICEYE's radar constellation provides imagery through darkness and cloud cover, including services used by Ukraine. The episode raised concern about uncoordinated operations near commercial spacecraft, although the purpose of the Russian maneuver remains uncertain and the tracking does not establish an attempted attack.