German defence minister Boris Pistorius accused the Kremlin of using two satellites to monitor its own in the latest round of brinksmanship from Vladimir Putin
Germany has accused Russia of “pursuing” its satellites in space.
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told a press conference today that China and Russia are rapidly ramping up their capacity to wage war in space.
The two Russian satellites are “pursuing” German military assets in orbit, Pistorius said. The satellites have been following Intelsat satellite that is used by the German armed forces and a number of other countries, including the UK, Australia and the US. He called on world leaders to begin dialogue on a space deterrent to combat China and Russia’s recent aggression.
It comes as NATO seems poised to respond to more Russian incursions after countless drone and cyber attacks which are thought to have been linked to the Kremlin.
Earlier today, Denmark contacted NATO over a drone attack at one of the country’s airports. Inbound flights to Denmark’s Aalborg Airport were diverted last night after the base – also used by the military – shut down due to drones in its airspace.
“Drones have been observed near Aalborg airport and the airspace is closed. The police are present and investigating further,” police said. The drones flew with their lights on.
Denmark contacted NATO over the incursion – but has not confirmed whether it has triggered Article 4 – which a member state can raise when it feels its territorial sovereignty has been threatened. The clause is not to be confused with Article 5 on collective defence, stating an attack on one member is an attack on all.
It comes after Estonia triggered Article 4 on Friday when three Russian fighter jets breached Estonian airspace.
Western leaders have issued defiant statements in recent days, warning the Kremlin that NATO is ready to act should Putin continue to breach the airspace of allied member states.
Speaking after three armed Russian MiG-31 fighter jets breached Estonian airspace on Friday, NATO chief Mark Rutte said there was “no need” to shoot down the Russian planes on this occasion. However, he added it doesn’t mean “we would not shoot down an aircraft immediately. We will first assess the situation”. “If necessary, we will do what is required”, he said.
The UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper issued a similarly defiant statement, warning that Britain is “ready to act” against Russian aggression. Donald Trump has also recommended simply shooting Russian aircraft out of the sky.