Russian Molniya-Orbit Satellites Identified as Source of Widespread GNSS Interference Across Europe and North America
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[Submitted on 2 Jun 2026]
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Summary
This paper analyzes a space-based GNSS interference source that has caused powerful wide-area interference events across continental Europe, Greenland, and Canada since 2019. Using data from terrestrial GNSS reference stations collected between 2019 and 2026, the authors develop a received-power-based detection framework, detail the spatial/temporal/spectral patterns of interference events, and present identification techniques blending received-power and time-difference-of-arrival measurements. The source is confidently identified as a constellation of Russian early warning satellites in Molniya ("lightning") orbits.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledThis paper analyzes and identifies a space-based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference source that has caused scores of powerful transient wide-area interference events over continental Europe, Greenland, and Canada since 2019.
Space-based interferers are of special concern given their potential for vast geographic reach and their portent of a qualitative escalation in GNSS interference.
Based on data collected between 2019 and 2026 from a network of terrestrial GNSS reference stations, this paper (1) develops a received-power-based detection framework; (2) details the spatial, temporal, and spectral patterns of wide-area interference events...
...applies these techniques to confidently identify the GNSS interference source as a constellation of Russian early warning satellites in Molniya ('lightning') orbits.
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