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The French Minister of Armies, Florence Parly. MARIN / AFP ludovic
Florence Parly, the French Minister of Armies accuses Russia of trying to spy on the French military satellite Athena Fidus, which allows secure military communications. The facts would have occurred last year.
"Luch / Olymp" is a well-known name in the world of military space. It is a Russian satellite closely watched as it has a suspicious tendency to change position and approach a little too close to other machines in orbit.
It has already been the subject of official protests because it disrupted the communications of a Pakistani satellite. This time, her target was Athena Fidus, who provides secure military communications. He tried to intercept them. Espionage therefore, but unsuccessful according to the Minister of Armies, which ensures that his services have seen it happen.
This is not the first time that Luch / Olymp is responsible for such a gesture. Several similar facts have already been noted by the French General Staff. Not only on tricolor satellites, but all those on the so-called geostationary orbit, the one where the telecommunications satellites are.
This time it is only an act of espionage, but more dangerous maneuvers also exist, aimed at neutralizing military gear. Practices that are not exclusive to Russia but common to all the great space powers.