Even if you’ve never used the service, you’re probably familiar with Starlink, a global internet service provider that relies on a fleet of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. SpaceX launched the first Starlink satellite in 2019, and more than 9,000 satellites have joined the original five dozen since launch. Starlink plans to eventually have a fleet of more than 40,000 ships, but before that happens, Russia appears interested in retiring some of them.
In late December 2025, the Associated Press reported that “the intelligence services of two NATO countries suspect Russia is developing a new anti-satellite weapon to target Elon Musk’s Starlink constellation.” The unnamed services apparently stated that Russia would not target satellites alone or with electromagnetic pulse devices, but would instead use “area-effect” weapons composed of dense clouds of projectiles. While any unsourced reports should be taken lightly, Russia’s potential interest in destroying Starlink satellites may be due to Ukraine’s reliance on Starlink since its 2022 invasion. While anti-satellite weapons are not new, they pose significant risks in the form of widespread debris fields that could threaten other satellites.
An “area effect” weapon like the one mentioned above is similar to firing a shotgun at a satellite, but with one major difference. While shotgun pellets are limited by physics and gravity and can only travel for a few seconds, fragments in space continue to move quickly until they hit an object or are captured by Earth’s gravity field. The Associated Press quoted defense expert Victoria Samson of the Secure World Foundation as saying: “Frankly, I would be very surprised if they did something like this.” Brigadier General Christopher Horner, who commands the Canadian Forces Space Force, was less sure. After confirming that his intelligence services had found no evidence of such a weapon, he added that “it is not implausible”.
Learn more: 11 of the most iconic ground attack military aircraft in history
Russia may just be bluffing
The 60 Starlink test satellites on top of the Falcon 9 rocket – Starlink Mission/Wikimedia Commons
Starlink satellites travel at speeds of 27,000 kilometers per hour (nearly 17,000 miles per hour) and orbit 550 kilometers (341.75 miles) above Earth. Even hitting a small object at these speeds can cause catastrophic damage to the delicate structures and instruments on the satellite, and Starlink is not the only satellite operating in low-Earth orbit.
NASA defines low Earth orbit as below 1,200 miles, noting that the International Space Station occupies this level of space and plans to expand its scope to “include government agencies, commercial providers, academic organizations, and others.”
Deployment of “area-effect” weapons like those described in the AP report would certainly cause indiscriminate damage to these satellites. As with any rogue nation on Earth, the potential risks are obvious, and Russia certainly has scientists who understand them. Even if Russia never planned to develop or use such equipment, this story may have been fabricated and leaked to prevent Starlink’s operational support for Ukraine. Starlink also provided Internet services in Venezuela after the US military operation ended, but this only lasted until February 3.
Area effect weapons are relatively low-tech, and Russia has a dedicated space launch agency with the ability to deploy more capable anti-satellite weapons. One of the most powerful military air defense systems in the world is Russia’s S-500 Prometheus, which can destroy satellites near low-Earth orbit. The S-500 is designed as a defensive weapon, but it’s not a huge leap in logic to imagine it being used for “area effect” or other attacks on Starlink satellites.
Want to stay up to date on the latest tech and automotive trends? Sign up for our free newsletter to get the latest headlines, expert guidance and how-to tips, one email at a time. You can also add us as your preferred search source on Google.
Read the original article on SlashGear.
