Ukraine has expanded its long-range attacks to Russian facilities linked to military space operations, including a communications centre near Moscow, the Plesetsk military cosmodrome and the Samara plant that produces Soyuz rockets. The strikes have damaged some infrastructure, while attacks on Plesetsk did not prevent a reported military satellite launch.
The attacks target systems used for intelligence gathering, navigation and coordination of Russian ground, drone and missile operations. Russian authorities and Ukrainian officials have offered differing accounts of the damage and casualties in some incidents.
The facilities supporting Russia’s war from space
The Russian Aerospace Forces control the military component of the country’s space programme. Their satellites and ground facilities support reconnaissance, navigation and the coordination of military operations, according to the account of the programme’s structure.
In late June, drones struck the space communications centre in Dubna. The reported damage included a 32-metre satellite antenna, hardware modular complexes, central control consoles and technical buildings. Russian authorities said an unspecified building was damaged and reported that a six-month-old baby died. For additional context, see “Ukraine seeks Patriot missiles as Russian attacks intensify”.
Plesetsk remained operational after the August attack
On August 23, about 40 drones were reported downed after flying more than 1,800km to Russia’s Arkhangelsk region. At least two reached the area near Plesetsk, the military cosmodrome and launch site for intercontinental ballistic missiles and military-satellite rockets, but no damage was reported there.
The timing of the attack was significant because analysts said similar attempts had been made when a rocket was fully fuelled and ready for launch. Roscosmos reported a successful launch of a rocket carrying unnamed military satellites on August 24. Pavel Luzin of the Jamestown Foundation said at least a dozen drones would be needed to damage Plesetsk’s launch table or rocket assembly shop. A related part of this story is covered in “17 killed as Russian missiles and drones strike Kyiv region”.
Pressure on rocket production and wider cooperation
The August 15 strike on the Progress Rocket and Space Centre in Samara caused a fire and slight damage to one facility. Analyst Pavel Luzin said the damage was not critical; he added that a more serious disruption could stop Russia from manufacturing Soyuz rockets, although existing stocks could last a year.
Ukraine’s attacks come as Russia’s civilian space programme faces reduced cooperation with Western partners. The European Space Agency ended cooperation with Roscosmos on ExoMars in 2022, and Germany switched off its X-ray telescope on the Spektr-RG observatory. NASA and Roscosmos have continued working together on the International Space Station, while Russia has pursued projects with China and other non-Western partners. The development of this issue can be followed in “Wildberries under fire as Ukraine brings war closer to Russian shoppers”.
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