Ukrainian drones target key Russian space intelligence hub
On the 1st of May in the Stavropol Krai, an object of Russian space intelligence, codenamed "Star," was struck during a nighttime attack by Ukrainian drones. This information was provided by Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Centre for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.
Kovalenko reported on his Telegram channel that unidentified drones successfully struck a key Russian space intelligence unit, which he described as one of the primary hubs of the country's space-based radio-electronic surveillance system. He added that the facility, known as "Star," is a component of Russia's strategic intelligence infrastructure, responsible for monitoring battlefield developments and conducting cyber-espionage operations.
Ukraine strikes "Star"
The facility was created in the early 1970s, among other uses, for intercepting satellite signals. At "Star," which belongs to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (GRU), they also analyse "space information" and observe signals from orbit and foreign satellites, noted Kovalenko.
"Star" and military unit no. 33443, the special purpose of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, is located near the village of Moskowskoye in the Izobilnensky district of the Stavropol Krai. The fall of "drone fragments" in this area on the morning of the 1st of May was reported by the head of the Stavropol Krai, Vladimir Vladimirov. He did not mention a strike on military objects, noting that no one was injured in the attack.
At least one drone hit?
According to the Ukrainian channel Exilenova, three Ukrainian drones participated in the attack on "Star." At least one reached its target, and there is no information about the other two. None of the sources has specified the nature and scale of the station's damage so far. The report by the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation also did not mention the destruction of drones in the Stavropol Krai.
The "Star" facility was attacked by drones on the morning of the 3rd of July, 2024. As reported by Astra, one of the drones exploded on the military unit's premises and injured a Russian soldier.
