The utilization of satellite data has brought an unexpected level of transparency to military operations. Researchers have leveraged publicly available satellite images to locate Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile systems in Eastern Ukraine.
The S-300 missile launchers, integral to Russia’s defense against aerial attacks. These systems, which cost more than $100 million each, are designed to operate from secure locations far behind the front lines.
The process of identifying these missile launchers involves a combination of OSINT sources. “First, we analyzed multiple social media sources for confirmed locations of S-300s,” explain researchers. “We then viewed Sentinel-1 imagery of these locations and increased the sensitivity to reveal radar interference from the missile systems.” The Sentinel-1 satellite, operated by the European Space Agency, can detect radar emissions from missile systems, showing up as distinct bands of interference in the imagery.
The implications for military strategy are profound. The tactics developed to protect assets from enemy detection are increasingly undermined by the transparency of modern technology. “Open-source intelligence means anyone with an internet connection may now be able to locate these assets.”
The S-300 is widely regarded as Russia’s counterpart to the US Patriot system. In Russia’s war on Ukraine, it is tasked with defending against missiles and aircraft but has recently been used to target Ukrainian civilians. To date, only around nine Russian S-300 missile launchers have been confirmed destroyed over the course of the war. This illustrates how rare and highly protected they are, reserved for protecting the most vital assets and regions of the Russian military.
The broader ethical dimensions of OSINT are also a point of contention. While OSINT can be a powerful tool for exposing war crimes and enhancing the accuracy of conflict reporting, it also poses risks. Publicly available data can be exploited by non-state actors or terrorist groups.
Relevant articles:
– Researchers track secret Russian missile launchers in Ukraine using public satellite data , Phys.org, 05/23/2024
– We tracked secret Russian missile launchers in Ukraine using public satellite data, The Conversation, 05/21/2024
– Ukrainian military says it downed all 29 drones launched by Russia overnight, Yahoo News Australia, 05/20/2024
– Underage vaping is on the rise: here’s how young New Zealanders are finding it so easy to access, Evening Report, 05/22/2024
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