A Russian satellite is stalking a U.S. spacecraft in orbit. Experts are worried

A Russian satellite, KOSMOS-2612, executed a close rendezvous-and-proximity operation with ICEYE-X36, a Finnish-American imaging satellite used by Ukraine, on Oct. 18, 2026. Public orbital tracking shows the two craft closed to at most a few hundred meters and possibly as close as tens of meters. Executing such an approach requires matching orbital plane and velocity and burns significant propellant, raising collision risk and shortening the pursued craft’s operational life if it must maneuver to evade. KOSMOS-2612 was launched in April with few public details; ICEYE-X36 launched in 2024 and is owned by ICEYE’s U.S. subsidiary.

Experts frame the incident as either a warning to signal Russian RPO capability or an attempt at direct interference - actions during an RPO can include photography, jamming, sensor blocking or physical disabling. Similar provocative maneuvers by other KOSMOS satellites around ICEYE-X36 have been tracked since May. Few international rules govern nonconsensual RPOs, operators and governments have made no clarifying statements, and recent announcements that the U.S. Space Force has placed weapons in space heighten tensions. Observers say the situation warrants close monitoring while avoiding premature conclusions.