Two NATO intelligence services have reportedly raised suspicions about Russia’s possible development of an anti-satellite weapon intended to Elon Musk‘s Starlink constellation, a move that could impact Western dominance in space.
Russian pellet weapon threat to Starlink
Russia is developing a so-called “zone effect” weapon designed to flood Starlink’s orbits with hundreds of thousands of dense pellets, potentially disabling multiple satellites at the same time. However, this tactic carries a high risk of widespread collateral damage to other spacecraft operating in orbit, AP News reports reported Monday, citing intelligence documents.
According to the report, analysts who have not reviewed the findings remain skeptical about the weapon’s effectiveness. They warn it could cause uncontrollable chaos in space and disrupt satellite operations vital to both companies and countries – including Russia and its ally China, which rely on thousands of satellites for vital activities.
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Russia’s Previous Starlink Targets Amid Tensions
This latest development adds to Russia’s series of actions and statements regarding Musk’s space ventures. In January 2024, it was reported that Russia was targeting Musk’s Starlink satellites by attaching signal jammers to his tanks, specifically to disrupt Ukrainian military operations.
The First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Mychailo Fedorov said he tested Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology with the CEO of Kievstar Oleksandr Komarovand calls it the future of satellite connectivity on smartphones. Musk reposted the announcement, underscoring SpaceX’s intention to expand the service despite geopolitical tensions.
The finding is also surprising, because in April 2025 the Russian president Vladimir Putin praised Musk, comparing him to the architect of the Soviet Union’s space victories, Sergei Korolev. These recent allegations of anti-satellite weapons development further underscore the complex relationship between Russia and Musk’s space efforts.
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Disclaimer: This content was produced in part using AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga’s editorial staff.
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