Major Taiwanese news network Liberty Times Network (LTN) recently reported that, as the Russia-Ukraine war enters its fourth year, the threat level in the space arena has risen again. Intelligence agencies in two NATO member states suspect that Russia is developing a new anti-satellite weapon primarily targeting Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite constellation. This weapon is not intended for a single target, but rather to cripple Western space superiority over a wide area by releasing a devastating cloud of shrapnel.
Intelligence documents revealed that this weapon, dubbed “zone-effect,” is planned to release hundreds of thousands of high-density microparticles in orbit. These particles may be released by a constellation of small, yet-to-be-launched satellites, and once deployed, they would simultaneously disrupt multiple Starlink satellites, severing the communication and guidance links that the Ukrainian army relies on for survival on the battlefield. These deadly particles are only a few millimeters in diameter and are virtually undetectable by existing ground-based and space-based radar systems, making tracing accountability extremely difficult. This is different from the anti-satellite missiles previously tested by Russia. However, the newly developed “zone-effect” weapon has a wider kill radius and is more difficult to defend against.
Analysts have questioned the practicality of this weapon. Such indiscriminate attacks could trigger an out-of-control chain reaction, potentially destroying not only Starlink but also Russia’s own satellites and those of its allies, like China. Starlink orbits at an altitude of approximately 550 kilometers. Over time, debris will fall into the Earth, threatening China’s Tiangong space station and the International Space Station (ISS) – both operate in lower orbits.
Source: LTN, December 22, 2025
https://def.ltn.com.tw/article/breakingnews/5286318