France says Russia tried to intercept satellite communications in 2017

Russia attempted to intercept transmissions from a Franco-Italian satellite used by both nations' armies for secure communications, French Defence Minister Florence Parly said on Friday, describing the move as an "act of espionage".

In a speech outlining France's space policy for the coming years, Parry said Russian satellite Louch-Olymp had approached the Athena-Fidus satellite in 2017.

Party said it came so close "that anyone would have thought it was attempting to intercept our communications." She added: "Attempting to listen to your neighbor is not only unfriendly, it's an act of espionage.