June 23rd, 2024

Sweden reports Russian jamming against Astra satellites

Sweden reports Russian jamming signals affecting Astra satellites to ITU, disrupting northern European communications. Interference targets SES-operated satellites in Scandinavia, sparking concerns amid broader radio war in Eastern Europe. Flight suspensions and communication challenges ensue.

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Sweden reports Russian jamming against Astra satellites

Sweden has reported Russian jamming signals affecting Astra satellites to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) following disruptions to northern European satellite communications. The interference impacts SES-operated television satellites in Scandinavia, specifically Astra 4A and SES-5. The exact nature and origin of the interference remain unknown, but it seems to target only the Northern European region. Sweden has requested the ITU to address this issue in an upcoming meeting. This incident is part of a broader radio war in Eastern Europe since the Russian invasion of western Ukraine in 2022, with increasing interference observed in satellite communications, including navigation satellites like GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Beidou. Amateur radio operators have dubbed this phenomenon the "Baltic Jammer." The disruption extends to Russian military communication satellites as well. The situation has led to flight suspensions and challenges for communication systems in the region.

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By @justinclift - 5 months
Act of war against a NATO member?