Ukraine Targets Russian Space Infrastructure, Develops Own Space Capabilities

Attack on Russian Space Facilities

On August 15, Ukraine conducted an attack on the Progress Rocket and Space Centre in Samara, Russia, using two Flamingo missiles. The strike hit buildings, including facility 106A, a 'clean room' where motherboards for Soyuz launch systems are assembled. This center is responsible for manufacturing Russia’s Soyuz-2 rockets.

This incident is part of broader Ukrainian strikes against Russian industrial targets. Other Roscosmos sites, such as a complex in Korolyov and a radio telescope in Crimea, have also been targeted by Ukraine this year.

Space's Role in the Conflict

The conflict has seen an increased reliance on space-based systems, including satellites for drones and battlefield sensors. The attack on Samara specifically targeted rockets used to deploy Russia’s new Rassvet satellite system, which is being rapidly implemented to replace Starlink access that Russia lost earlier this year.

Russia has also utilized Oreshnik ballistic missiles, which launch into near space and deploy multiple independently targetable warheads, on at least three occasions.

Ukraine's Space Development

In response to these developments, Ukraine is diversifying its access to space-based systems beyond US providers like Starlink, which experienced disruptions recently. Kyiv is also working on new space countermeasures against threats such as the Oreshnik missile system.

Ukraine has conducted at least three tests of near-space interceptions and is actively working to launch its own sovereign satellites. This effort became tangible last month with a successful launch announced by Ukraine and Denmark’s GomSpace.