[thinkcontext]

Ukraine is using Starlink to control drones and Russia has tried jamming the service. Given that its not outlandish to contemplate Russia escalating. They might destroy one and say they'll do worse unless Ukraine is kicked off.

The reason taking out spy satellites is taken so seriously is it is considered a likely prelude to an attack.

[vkou]

Are spy satellites actually intended to detect ongoing icmb attacks? Isn't the overwhelming majority of that job done by ground and sea-based radar stations?

[walrus01]

There are dedicated purpose infrared sensor missile launch warning sats owned and run by USA and Russia and China. In addition to other radar systems.

[thinkcontext]

Though there are certainly land and sea based systems, satellites will see launches from interior Russia first.

[vkou]

There is no meaningful difference between detecting a launch from Siberia, and detecting it once it's over the Bering sea. Either way, everyone on both sides will die.