Ukraine hits Russian rocket hub to secure independent space access
A strike on a Samara facility that builds Soyuz components marked a new front in the conflict, prompting Kyiv to launch its own test satellite.
By David Marshall ·
Ukraine targeted the Progress Rocket and Space Centre in Samara, Russia, in the early hours of August 15. The attack struck a facility where engineers assemble motherboards for Soyuz-2 rockets. Two Flamingo missiles hit the site, including a clean room known as 106A.
The strike damaged infrastructure used to build launch systems for Russia's Rassvet satellite network. Moscow has been deploying Rassvet to replace Starlink, a system from which Russia was cut off earlier this year. The damage to Samara highlighted the growing role of space assets in the war.
Ukraine has attacked other Roscosmos sites this year, including the Korolyov complex north of Moscow. Moscow has also used Oreshnik ballistic missiles at least three times. These weapons launch into near space before deploying multiple warheads, a tactic that forces Ukraine to develop new defensive measures.
Kyiv worked to reduce its reliance on US and Starlink systems after recent disruptions in service. Last month, Ukraine and Denmark's GomSpace launched the Obria Nano satellite. This test satellite is the first step toward an independent Ukrainian communications network. The plan involves deploying approximately 245 satellites.
Dr. Elena Grossfeld of the Swedish Defence University noted that space warfare is no longer a future concept but a current reality. She pointed to US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink's September admission that Washington had deployed on-orbit space control weapons. Russia has also flown satellites close to US assets and maneuvered toward a Finnish Iceye radar satellite to harass it.
Fedir Venislavskyi, head of the state security subcommittee of Ukraine's parliamentary defence committee, described the need for a sovereign presence in space. He said recent drops in Starlink communications jeopardized command and control systems. Ukraine has conducted three tests of exo-atmospheric kill systems to intercept launches in near space.
Venislavskyi stated that funding for these new systems remains a challenge. He emphasized that the enemy is threatening Ukrainian territory from international space via Oreshnik missiles. The country is working to move these interception systems into production.
