Russian military satellite reportedly moved within 85ft of a US-registered radar satellite that feeds intelligence to Ukraine

Moscow's Kosmos 2612 began stalking Finnish firm ICEYE's X36 craft on 30 September before closing in over South America at the weekend. US tracking company LeoLabs said Kosmos 2612 made 'small adjustments' to keep pace with its target. LeoLabs warned the moves could be 'preparation for future counterspace operations'. The Russian craft reportedly backed away on Monday.

ICEYE handed a satellite to Ukraine in 2022 and expanded Kyiv's data access this January.

LeoLabs estimates the gap was nearer 500 metres, citing 'challenging tracking geometry'.

'We just don't know': think-tank expert Clayton Swope on whether an attack was aborted.