A satellite company supporting Ukraine appears to be in Russia’s crosshairs

In a surprising maneuver, several Russian military satellites have altered their orbits to align more closely with a Finnish-American radar surveillance satellite, prompting speculation about Russia's strategic intentions. The satellites, identified as Kosmos 2610 through 2613, were launched together on April 16 aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. Recent adjustments to the inclinations of these four satellites—by less than a degree—may seem minor, yet such plane changes are fuel-intensive. The velocity change required for this maneuver is comparable to the energy needed to elevate a satellite's altitude by over 100 miles. As a result, these Russian satellites are now positioned to frequently pass near ICEYE’s commercial surveillance satellite, ICEYE-X36. ICEYE-X36 is part of a broader constellation offering all-weather radar imagery to various military agencies, including the US and European governments. Notably, ICEYE also supports Ukraine's military efforts against Russia. The company’s co-founder and CEO, Rafal Modrzewski, previously met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, further solidifying ICEYE's role in the ongoing conflict.