Russia's satellite games are testing the boundaries of space deterrence

The article discusses recent developments involving Russia’s satellite Kosmos-2558, which has been shadowing a classified US reconnaissance satellite, USA 326, since 2022. On June 28, 2025, Kosmos-2558 deployed a smaller subsatellite (Object C, NORAD ID 64627) into a nearly identical orbit, raising concerns among US national security and space experts about potential space-based weapons or anti-satellite (ASAT) capabilities. While no aggressive actions have been observed, analysts speculate that the subsatellite may be maneuverable and possibly armed with kinetic ASAT technology capable of disabling or destroying other satellites. This move is viewed as either a deliberate show of strength or a covert test of space-based countermeasures, signaling a possible escalation in the militarization of low Earth orbit. The article highlights Russia’s history of similar behavior, noting previous “inspector” satellites (Kosmos-2519, 2542) that deployed subsatellites firing project