In Russia, a new destabilizing operation has been confirmed — unknown drones attacked and caused damage to the “Zvezda” space reconnaissance system, which is a key element of the Russian space and military complex
This attack took place in the Stavropol region, and its consequences have raised concerns in Russia about the possible escalation of foreign activity in the field of space intelligence and national security. The incident was reported by Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Disinformation Counteraction Center under the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), on his Telegram channel. According to him, unknown drones successfully penetrated the territory of a military unit, an object called "Zvezda," which is one of the main stations of the Russian space radio-electronic reconnaissance system. This information has attracted considerable attention from specialists and military experts, as "Zvezda" is not just a technical base but a strategically important component of intelligence infrastructure. According to disclosed data, this system was created during the Soviet era in the early 1970s and was intended for global interception and analysis of signals from satellites, intercontinental communications, and even signal exchange between foreign military objects. Kovalenko explained that "Zvezda" is a center for analyzing space information, which is part of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Russian General Staff. It acts as an intermediary in collecting and processing data from orbit, including monitoring signals from foreign satellite communication systems, particularly commercial ones. The head of the Disinformation Counteraction Center emphasizes that today "Zvezda" is not only a technical infrastructure but also a strategic element of Russian intelligence, responsible for monitoring situations in military and political zones, as well as preparing information and psychological operations. Moreover, the object is actively involved in cyber espionage, gathering data on potential adversaries and foreign special operations. In the wake of these news reports, Russia previously reported a series of strikes carried out in occupied Crimea and on Russian territory. For instance, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that late on May 2, their air defense systems allegedly shot down 121 Ukrainian drones attempting to penetrate over Crimea and several Russian regions. Such statements and reports in Telegram channels were accompanied by messages about explosions and destruction of targets in multiple settlements in Crimea. This context indicates that Russia is increasingly concerned about breaches of their security systems and the growing activity of Ukrainian forces. The drone attack on "Zvezda" is yet another vivid example of how high-tech means are being used in the struggle for control in space and intelligence, highlighting the complexity of modern military conflicts. Moreover, these actions have strategic implications and could impact Russia’s information security, complicating its ability to respond promptly to external threats. Analysts and military experts are actively discussing the possible consequences of this attack, noting that it could be a signal for intensified future actions by Ukraine or other predominantly Western partners seeking to exert more pressure on Russian space and military infrastructure. Therefore, events surrounding the "Zvezda" object serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining control and protecting space systems, which play a crucial role in modern warfare and geopolitics.