By Sayan Bose
A SECRETIVE Russian “killer satellite” deployed in space was detected launching another mysterious flying object near a US spacecraft.
Kosmos-2558 is a Russian military satellite that is currently on an orbital path which is suspiciously close to USA-326 – an American spy satellite.
The 14F150 Nivelir-type satellite was deployed into a Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) – and has presumably been stalking the US space asset since 2022.
It is believed to have the capacity to constantly monitor enemy spy satellites and potentially shoot them down if needed.
Space program researchers have now detected a new object that appeared to have separated from the Russian inspector satellite on June 26.
The new flying object, named 2025-089C or simply Object C, appeared to be a subsatellite that was launched by Kosmos-2558.
It was filmed on 28 June 2025 from Leiden, the Netherlands, using a powerful astronomy camera.
The clip shows Kosmos 2558 passing through the frame.
Just 16 seconds later, Object C can be seen moving in the same direction but on a different orbit.
It is believed that Object C is a highly manoeuvrable sub-satellite with onboard high-speed kinetic anti-satellite weapons.
Two earlier Russian satellites of the same type, Kosmos-2519 and 2542, also released subsatellites, which were designated Cosmos-2521 and 2543.
Bart Hendrickx, a long-time space researcher and Russian space program expert, wrote in his blog: “Both of those [Russian] satellites showed significant manoeuvring capability and each fired a high-speed projectile that was interpreted by the Pentagon as an anti-satellite weapon.
“This happened when they were flying in the vicinity of other Russian satellites.”
Last year, Putin launched a terrifying weapon system into space capable of killing other satellites.
The Pentagon said that the Russian counter-space weapon was put into the “same orbit” as a US government satellite – and is likely tracking the space device already.
The Russian space object believed to be Cosmos-2576 was launched on May 16 on a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket from Russia’s Plesetsk Cosmodrome, some 497 miles north of Moscow.
It is now following American spy satellite USA 314, operated by the US National Reconnaissance Office.
An unofficial Russian source claimed the launch carried a “secret military device”.
While it was previously reported as a Russian space satellite, the US has now warned it could be a counter-space weapon capable of attacking other such tech.
Pentagon spokesman Brig Gen Pat Ryder said: “Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we assess is likely a counter-space weapon.
“It was deployed into the same orbit as a US government satellite and assessments further indicate characteristics resembling previously deployed counter space payloads from 2019 and 2022.”
“We will continue to monitor the situation … we have a responsibility to be ready to protect and defend the space domain and ensure continuous and uninterrupted support to the joint and combined force.”
Russia’s Roskosmos state space agency said the launch was “in the interests of the defence ministry of the Russian Federation”.
In 2023, US intelligence chiefs warned that Russia is planning to launch nukes into space that would destroy satellites in a “grave” threat to the world’s security.
Military experts have warned that Putin would take the “suicidal” decision to launch the deadly weapons if he felt his grip on power was being threatened by Ukraine and the West.
Mad despot Putin has already tested orbital weapons designed for blasting Western kits – such as the anti-satellite weapon, Cosmos 2543.