Draper said he was “really proud” to make a winning return to the tour following “a lot of down moments [during] the last eight months”.
Seeking to build on the victory over the 68th-ranked Halys, Draper made an assured start on serve as he lost just two points across his opening four games.
But he crucially failed to take his first two break points in the 11th game, before Rinderknech seized his opportunity to clinch the opening set in the following game.
Draper was the first to come under pressure in the second set as he withstood three break points to restore parity at 3-3 but, from the brink of trailing by a set and a break, he reset impressively.
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The Briton lost just one point over his next three service games and would not relinquish control of the tie-break after winning four of the first five points.
However, it was Rinderknech who forced the breakthrough in the deciding set – with that proving enough to secure a quarter-final meeting with Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev.
What’s in store for you today? (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
Buckle your seatbelts, as Mercury is officially in Retrograde, this time in Pisces. For the next three weeks, things could feel enshrouded in a mystic haze.
Pisces, Aquarius and Sagittarius, you may feel held up by delays, whether these are domestic, emotional or financial. Don’t give up as a result of these setbacks.
Use this notoriously complex placement as an opportunity to revolutionise the way you communicate. Don’t feel bogged down; discover new routes.
Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Thursday February 26, 2026.
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With Mercury turning retrograde in Pisces, your inner world becomes a misty wonderland for the next three weeks. Logic may take a coffee break while instinct takes the wheel. Get ready, as miscommunications, tech hiccups or dreamlike distractions are likely, especially around old emotions or unfinished creative projects. Slow down, reflect and revisit rather than charge ahead.
Your social circles and goals may enter a state of some confusion. Expect delays, mixed signals or a few surprise reunions with people from your past. Plans may shift, Wi-Fi may wobble and texts might need extra decoding. But there’s gold in the glitch, as Mercury’s rewind phase is a perfect time to reconnect with old dreams, even if things don’t make perfect sense just yet.
Over the coming weeks your sharp mind might be running in lyrical circles. Career plans, public image and big decisions may blur, stall or loop back around for review. It’s less about pushing forward and more about rethinking your path with depth and subtlety. You may have genius epiphanies while daydreaming in the shower. Trust that Mercury’s rewind holds hidden insight.
Your inner explorer may be navigating a misty sea of dreams, beliefs and wavering travel plans. Communication gets confusing around learning, legal matters or long-distance connections. But Mercury’s retro phase isn’t about getting lost, it’s about finding meaning. Revisit old wisdom, spiritual practices or that half-finished novel in your drawer. Deep wisdom is your compass now.
Shared finances, emotional entanglements and unspoken feelings rise to the surface. It’s not the time to sign contracts or deep dive into serious money matters without reading the small print twice. But as Mercury reverses, it’s the perfect moment to reflect, release and rediscover your emotional power. Past loves or buried truths may reappear, asking for closure or a second look.
Over the coming weeks the planet of talk and thought moves backwards, turning your relationships into a confusing painting of emotions, miscommunications and meaningful reconnections. Expect old lovers, past misunderstandings or long-lost texts to resurface. Your usually clear communication may feel foggy, but your instincts are likely spot on, so use them well.
Cosmic messages for Cosmic messages for Virgo today
Libra
September 24 to October 23
Your daily routine might feel more like a surrealist painting than a to-do list. Schedules may blur, emails might disappear and your keys could vanish into thin air. But beneath retrograde chaos can lay a cosmic invitation to rethink how you care for your body, mind and spirit. Revisit old wellness goals, refine your workflow or finally listen to what your intuition’s been whispering.
Your creative waters run deep yet could be disorienting. Old connections, unfinished art or half-written love letters may resurface, needing a review. Romance can get confusing, while your inner muse craves time to wander. This isn’t the moment to force anything. As Mercury regresses, feel your way forward. Imaginative projects and matters of the heart require more time to bloom.
As the planet of communication rewinds through sensitive Pisces for the next three weeks, your inner compass may feel uncertain, especially at home. Family dynamics, emotional roots or domestic plans could also seem hazy, delayed or suddenly resurface from the past. Forget about renovating the kitchen or your relationship with your childhood, instead relax and ruminate.
Emails may get lost, texts misread and directions, whether literal or metaphorical, could get muddled. But there’s a silver lining, as Mercury’s rewind means it’s time to rethink how you speak, listen and connect. Old conversations, forgotten ideas or long-lost contacts may resurface, asking for closure or a new perspective. Don’t rush the reply, let the insights bubble up slowly.
Over the weeks ahead finances, values and your worth might feel wrapped in a dreamy mist. Budget issues, delayed payments or impulse buys involving questionable logic could pop up. But don’t fret, as this is your chance to rethink what truly matters. As Mercury reverses, revisit old talents, dust off abandoned projects and know you’re rich in wisdom, so spend that generously.
Talk and thought Mercury is retraces its steps in your sign for the next three weeks, turning your world into a beautiful, baffling piece of art, nostalgia and even misplaced phone chargers. Expect delays and conversations that drift like seaweed, but also deep insights and second chances. It’s time to slow down and rewrite your own script. Who are you becoming, and which old stories no longer fit?
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It would operate as a ‘community healthcare facility’ with treatments, examinations, and consultations
A specialist medical clinic in a bustling city neighbourhood has been given the green-light by the local council. Cardiff Council has approved plans to turn an out-of-use office building into a community dental practice.
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According to the application the proposal will function as a “community healthcare facility providing examinations, consultations, and treatments within a controlled appointment-based operational model” at 39 The Parade, Roath. In the new clinic patients will be admitted on an appointment basis with arrivals distributed throughout the day. This operation method “minimises traffic peaks, moderates trip generation, and ensures a predictable flow of short-stay visits”.
Planning documents continue: “There is no late-night activity, noise-generating equipment, or high foot traffic comparable to large commercial healthcare facilities.” Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here
According to the proposal it will sustain commercial employment in the building and contribute to Cardiff’s local service economy.
The proposal “represents a beneficial reuse of existing commercial property stock, supporting skilled clinical and administrative roles and contributing positively to community healthcare provision”.
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No external alterations, extensions or demolitions are proposed in the plans, Instead the conversion will “maintain the building’s architectural character” and preserve the “visual coherence of the Parade street scene”.
The surrounding area is characterised by “a concentration of commercial, office, educational, and institutional buildings” with “strong public transport accessibility” and “convenient proximity” to Cardiff Central station.
The planning officer’s report reads: “It is considered that the use would not result in any additional loss of amenity to nearby residents and adjacent business occupiers to that experienced by the existing use in terms of noise or smell and hours of operation, having regard to the nature of the proposed use.”
At the site there is a parking area providing up to six spaces. The application calls this suitable for staff and patient use and that it supports the short-stay visits associated with clinical appointments.
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Additionally the Parade has on-street parking enabling patients to also park there.
The application reads: “The street serves a predominantly commercial function, without residential permit restrictions, thereby facilitating parking turnover that is compatible with the operational characteristics of dental practices.”
According to the application the dental practice will result in no adverse impacts on local traffic due to the “availability of sustainable modes and balanced provision of both on-plot and on-street parking”.
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The officer has been put on the college of policing barred list
A former detective has been dismissed after she “aided and abetted” with an authorised device in a prison. A misconduct hearing was held on February 9 into Detective Constable Zoe Rogers, who was based at Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough for Cambridgeshire Police.
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The hearing found that Rogers was in breach of the standards of professional behaviour in respect of honest and integrity and discreditable conduct. It concluded that she would have been dismissed if she was still a serving officer.
The hearing heard that on October 28, 2025, the former detective accepted a conditional caution, in relation to “aiding and abetting the unauthorised possession of a device inside a prison”.
DC Rogers admitted and took responsibility for it. In determining an outcome, the hearing did “acknowledge the former officer’s contributions to policing” and the her “good work”.
However, the actions taken by Rogers were determined to “undoubtedly undermine public confidence”. As a result, it was ruled the officer would have been dismissed and she was placed on the college of policing barred list.
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Deputy Chief Constable Chris Balmer said: “Police officers are entrusted with significant responsibility, and the public quite rightly expect us to uphold the highest standards of honesty, integrity and professionalism at all times. We will act decisively, as we did in this case, to maintain public confidence.”
Former Norwegian PM Thorbjørn Jagland was hospitalised after being charged with corruption linked to his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, with reports of a ‘suicide attempt’ denied by his legal team
Peter Hennessy and Elizabeta Ranxburgaj
02:04, 26 Feb 2026
A former Prime Minister who was named in the Epstein Files has been rushed to hospital following an alleged suicide attempt.
Former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland was admitted to hospital on Tuesday, 24 February, just days after being charged with serious corruption offences linked to his association with paedophile Epstein.
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Jagland faces charges of “gross corruption” after newly released documents appeared to reveal a transactional relationship between the ex-PM and the convicted paedophile between 2011 and 2018, reports the Mirror.
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Whilst some Norwegian outlets have reported a suicide attempt, the high-profile statesman’s legal team has insisted he was rushed to hospital due to extreme stress rather than a deliberate act.
Documents amongst the millions released in the Epstein Files appeared to show the relationship between the Norwegian politician and the sex offender included requests for diplomatic favours, luxury travel and financial solicitations.
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Norwegian authorities launched an investigation into the relationship and the ex-leader over potential corruption – Jagland admitted “poor judgment”.
The former Prime Minister’s lawyer, Anders Brosveet, rejected claims by some Norwegian outlets, including iNyheter, and strongly denied Jagland had gone through a “suicide attempt”. Brosveet revealed that his client was hospitalised following severe stress and medical complications arising from the criminal investigation and pressure from the media.
Jagland has denied any criminal responsibility and has previously stated his willingness to cooperate with the investigation, according to his legal team.
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Jagland served as Norway’s Prime Minister between 1996 and 1997, and chaired the Norwegian Nobel Committee from 2009 to 2015. The charges against Jagland were brought following the lifting of his immunity from the Council of Europe, which he led between 2009 and 2018.
Documents within the Epstein files appear to indicate that Jagland had planned a family visit to Epstein’s private island in 2014, though this was called off when the paedophile fell ill.
A separate exchange appeared to suggest the former Prime Minister attempted to assist Epstein in securing a bank loan, though it remains unclear whether this was successful, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
Norwegian police have yet to confirm whether this allegation is under investigation. It should be noted that appearing in the Epstein Files does not constitute an accusation of any wrongdoing.
Jagland is not the first high-profile Norwegian figure to feature in the files. Crown Princess Mette-Marit issued a lengthy public apology for her friendship with Epstein following the release of emails exchanged between the two.
The statement read: “I would like to express my deepest regret for my friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. It is important for me to apologise to all of you that I have disappointed. Some of the content of the messages between Epstein and me does not represent the person I want to be. I also apologise for the situation that I have put the Royal Family in, especially the King and Queen.”
**For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email **jo@samaritans. org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
Failures within the system have been known about, and reported on, for years. The BBC has spent more than a decade speaking to bereaved and harmed families following poor care at Morecambe Bay, Shrewsbury & Telford, East Kent, Nottingham, Leeds and a number of other NHS Trusts, gathering evidence of failing maternity services.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has advised against all but essential travel to the destination
The UK Foreign Office has warned holidaymaker against traveling to a popular tourist destination after violence erupted across the country. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) has advised against all but essential travel to cities in Mexico as well as urging citizens to stay indoors.
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On Sunday, February 22, Mexico’s army declared it had killed a cartel boss known as El Mencho in a military operation in the western state of Jalisco. The death of the boss has led to rioting across the state with cars being set alight.
The FCDO released a statement warning those in Mexico to “be alert” after “serious security incidents”. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here
The office said: “Serious security incidents have been reported since February 22 across the state of Jalisco, including in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, following a federal law-enforcement operation against organised crime in the municipality of Tapalpa. If you are currently in Jalisco, minimise movements and follow any local shelter in place instructions.
“Security incidents were reported in other parts of Mexico, including in tourist areas in Quintana Roo and Oaxaca states, but things appear to have returned to normal outside of Jalisco. Wherever you are in Mexico, stay alert and follow local security advice.”
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Drug-related violence, suspected gang members killed in violent clashes, human and drugs trafficking, and armed robberies are just some of the reasons given to avoid travelling to areas within Mexico.
Areas that the FCDO advises against all but essential travel include:
State of Baja California
The city of Tecate in Baja California, including roads between Tijuana and Tecate except:
airside transit through Tijuana airport
the Cross Border Xpress bridge from the airport linking terminals across the Mexican-US border
the federal toll road 1D and Via Rápida through Tijuana to the border
State of Chihuahua
The state of Chihuahua except:
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the city of Chihuahua
the border crossing in Ciudad Juárez (accessed by federal toll road 45)
federal toll road 45D connecting the cities of Chihuahua and Ciudad Juárez
the Copper Canyon rail route to and from Chihuahua and towns immediately on this route including Creel
the road from Creel via San Juanito to San Pedro
state highway 16 from San Pedro to Chihuahua
State of Sinaloa
The State of Sinaloa except:
the cities of Los Mochis and Mazatlán
road 32 that runs between El Fuerte and Los Mochis
the 15D federal toll road that runs the length of the state
the Copper Canyon rail route to and from Los Mochis, El Fuerte and the towns immediately on this route
State of Tamaulipas
The state of Tamaulipas, except:
the border crossing at Nuevo Laredo accessed by federal toll road 85D from Monterrey
federal highways 80, 81 and 85 between Tampico, Ciudad de Victoria and Magueyes, and the entire area of Tamaulipas south of these highways
State of Zacatecas
The state of Zacatecas.
State of Guanajuato
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The areas south-west of road 45D.
State of Michoacán
The state of Michoacán except the:
city of Morelia accessed by federal toll roads 15D, 126 and 43; and the federal toll road 48D between the city of Morelia and the General Francisco Mujica airport
town of Pátzcuaro accessed by federal toll roads 14D and 15 from Morelia, and boat trips out to islands on Lake Pátzcuaro
Federal Highway 15D
State of Jalisco
The state of Jalisco.
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State of Colima
The state of Colima except:
the city of Manzanillo accessed by sea or air via the Manzanillo-Costalegre International Airport
direct travel via road 200 from the airport to Manzanillo.
State of Guerrero
The state of Guerrero except:
the town of Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa accessed by air.
State of Chiapas
Within 40km of the Guatemalan border between the Pacific Coast up to and including the border crossing at Gracias a Dio.
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On Federal Highway 199 (Carretera Federal 199) between Rancho Nuevo (just outside San Cristobal de las Casas) and the Chancalá junction just outside Palenque (where Federal Highway 199 meets Federal Highway 307).
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Fire crews were called to the scene in Market Street at 11.20am on Wednesday (February 25).
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the crews used a nine-metre ladder to get to and remove the concrete.
In a statement, the fire service said: “York crews attended reports of a piece of concrete overhanging a gutter, crews used a nine-metre ladder to get to the concrete and remove it due to concerns of public safety.”
Galatasaray needed extra time to eliminate Juventus in their Champions League play-off tie on Wednesday night as the Serie A club scored three goals without reply to make it 5-5 on aggregate.
Osimhen then found the net in extra time to put Galatasaray in front on aggregate before Baris Alper Yilmaz struck to seal the tie for the Turkish champions.
Galatasaray have already beaten Liverpool in the Champions League league phase this season as Osimhen’s first-half penalty sealed a 1-0 win against Arne Slot’s side at home in September.
Asked if he would prefer to face Liverpool or Tottenham in the Champions League last-16, Osimhen told CBS Sports: ‘I mean to be honest with you, meeting Liverpool now is going to be like some sort of revenge.
Galatasaray will play either Liverpool or Tottenham in the Champions League last-16 (Getty)
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‘Anyone we meet now… I wouldn’t say much but I would like to escape Liverpool.
‘But if they come, yeah, we’re going to dig it out but it’s not going to be easy.
Who can the Premier League teams play in the Champions League last-16?
Arsenal will play either Bayer Leverkusen or Atalanta
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Chelsea will play either Newcastle United or PSG
Liverpool will play either Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray
The Champions League draw takes place on Friday (UEFA via Getty)
Man City will play either Bodo/Glimt or Real Madrid
Tottenham will play either Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray
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Newcastle United will play either Chelsea or Barcelona
‘I mean this is Champions League, no team is easy, we can see how flying Bodo/Glimt are really doing in this tournament.
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‘If you want to win you also have to play the big dogs and make a statement for yourself.
‘We’ve met Liverpool but we haven’t played at Anfield. If we meet them it’s going to be an amazing game. I think we’re up to the task, it’s not going to be easy, of course, but we have fight in us.’
The former WWE CEO crashed in Connecticut last summer and the new video footage shows that a trooper was attempting to catch up with him before the collision took place
Police have released new video that shows former WWE CEO Vince McMahon’s high speed car crash last summer and reveals that a state trooper was trying to catch up to him to pull him over at the time.
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The now 80-year-oldwas driving his 2024 Bentley Continental GT on the Merritt Parkway in Westport, Connecticut on July 24. State policesaid the Bentley, which can cost over $300,000, was going 100 mph (160 kph) or more.
The bodycam footage shows state police Detective Maxwell Robins asking McMahon “Why were you driving all over 100 mph?” after the crash. McMahon replies, “I got my granddaughter’s birthday” and explains he was on his way to see her.
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Robins’ dashcam video shows McMahon driving northbound in the right lane when he approaches a BMW in the same lane, appears to hit the brakes and swerves into the left lane at the last second. The Bentley clipped the rear of the other car before smashing into the left lane guardrail and careening back onto the highway, creating a cloud of dirt and car parts. McMahon then stops in the right shoulder.
Police said that no one was seriously injured in the crash. Besides damage to the rear of the BMW, another vehicle driving on the opposite side of the parkway was struck by flying debris. The driver of that third car happened to be wearing a WWE shirt.
McMahon was cited for reckless driving and following too closely. In October 2025 a state judge allowed McMahon to enter a pretrial probation program that will result in the charged being erased from his record by the following year if he successfully completes the program.
McMahon was also ordered to make a $1000 contribution to charity.
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According to state police, Robin was attempting to catch up to McMahon on the parkway and clock his speed before pulling him over. They said the incident was not a pursuit, which happens when police chase someone trying to flee officers. The police said it did not appear McMahon was trying to escape the trooper.
The video shows Robins informing McMahon that he was attempting to catch up with him. “I’m trying to catch up to you and you keep taking off,” Robins says. “No, no no. I’m not trying to outrun you,” McMahon says.
The media were not originally told that a trooper was following McMahon.
Videos obtained by The Sun newspaper show police body cameras recorded troopers’ interactions with McMahon on the side of the highway.
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McMahon is asked why he didn’t change lanes sooner to avoid the crash and whether he was looking at is phone. He denies looking at his phone and adds that he hadn’t driven his car in a long time.
McMahon later gives Robins his car registration and curses at himself, the video shows. After Robins tells McMahon that his car is fast, McMahon replies, “Yeah, too (expletive) fast.”
The clips also show McMahon speaking tot he driver who car he rear-ended. Barbara Doran, of New York City, told the Associated Press last summer that McMahon expressed his concern for her and was glad she was OK.
She said she was heading to a ferry to Martha’s Vineyard at the time of the crash. The interaction ends with McMahon shaking hands with Robins and another trooper as they wished him well.
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McMahon’s lawyer, Mark Sherman, said the crash was just an accident.
“Not every car accident is a crime,” Sherman said. “Vince’s primary concern during this case was for the other drivers and is appreciative that the court saw this more of an accident than a crime that needed to be prosecuted.”
The former CEO stepped down in 2022 as the company faces allegations of sexual misconduct. He also resigned as executive chairman of the board of directors of TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE, in 2024, a day after a former WWE employee filed a sexual abuse lawsuit against him.
McMahon has denied the allegations. The lawsuit remains pending.
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McMahon bought what was then the World Wrestling Federation in 1982 and transformed it from a regional wrestling company into a worldwide phenomenon. Besides running the company with his wife, Linda, who is now the U.S. education secretary, he also performed at WWE events as himself.
Officials recently sounded the alarm over Russia intercepting communications from European satellites. But this isn’t a new problem.
Ever since the initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014, two Russian satellites have been secretly stalking European spacecraft. They have been manoeuvring close enough to raise concerns about more than mere observation.
In 2018, the French defence minister accused Russia of espionage after one of these vehicles was spotted in the vicinity of a Franco-Italian military communications satellite. Two Intelsat satellites were similarly targeted before that.
These so-called proximity and rendezvous operations (RPOs), in which a spacecraft
deliberately manoeuvres to dock or operate near another object in space, are
becoming commonplace in geostationary orbit (GEO), where satellites effectively
stay fixed over the same spot on Earth.
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RPOs are not inherently malicious. These operations can sometimes be used to refuel a satellite and extend its lifespan, or to remove defunct satellites and debris, keeping orbits clear for future missions.
Because the technology to improve satellite manoeuvrability is dual use – it has both civilian and military applications – the challenge is then to define intent
and, if required, respond accordingly.
Satellite inspections
Launched in 2014 and 2023, the two highly secretive Russian “inspector” satellites,
Luch/Olymp 1 and 2, are part of Russia’s efforts to identify any technical
vulnerabilities embedded in Nato countries’ satellites.
If this had been their sole purpose, European officials would have had few grounds for serious concern or complaint. Approaching a satellite to characterise its profile is neither a new mission nor exclusive to Russia.
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The US Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) inspection satellites have come as close as ten kilometres of other satellites in the past. Even commercial companies have begun to provide inspection services.
An Australian company called HEO recently flew by a classified Chinese satellite to uncover its technical features. In theory, information like this could be used in the future to disrupt the functioning of satellites.
However, the Russian satellites have often shadowed the same spacecraft for
months, occasionally approaching within five kilometres of their targets. This does not fit the mission profile of satellite inspection, which would involve merely passing by a target, taking pictures and quickly moving on to another trajectory.
GSSAP satellites, for example, typically work in pairs, adopting a pincer-like approach: one satellite orbits above GEO, inspecting the back of a target satellite, while the other moves just below, surveying its front.
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Luch satellites by contrast are essentially signals intelligence (Sigint) systems. By positioning them between a target satellite and its ground station, Russia can
intercept the signal and eavesdrop on communications from European satellites such as those operated by Eutelsat, a French company, and Intelsat, a Luxembourgish-American company. Among other customers, these European satellites provide bandwidth to European militaries for secure communications.
Examined in isolation, these Luch vehicles should be viewed as surveillance
satellites rather than counterspace weapons – which are satellites that can actually disrupt or disable another spacecraft. The Russian satellites are simply collecting information. On this basis alone, they do not pose a significant security threat.
However, space as a domain remains entangled with broader geopolitical dynamics
on Earth. Any Russian space operation should be seen as part of a larger campaign
to accrue strategic benefits, whether to gain a military advantage over Ukraine or to coerce European countries into withdrawing their support for Ukraine.
Future threat
From this perspective, the Luch RPOs could be interpreted not only as part of a
Sigint effort, but also as a warning to European countries that their satellites are vulnerable to disruption.
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As Major General Michael Traut, commander of Germany’s Space Command has noted, the Luch satellites have also likely intercepted the command links of their targets. The command links are supposedly secure transmissions from ground stations to satellites that convey operational instructions.
If this is true, Russia could potentially replicate the uplink signals used by ground stations to control satellites, allowing them to disrupt European space operations in the future.
The Russian satellites may have intercepted transmissions from ground stations that could allow them to disrupt the functioning of European spacecraft. Trisna.id
If this sounds familiar, it is because the scenario would closely mirror Russia’s hybrid campaign against European undersea cables. This has included years of covertly mapping western infrastructure and, more recently, a sustained effort to sever fibre optic cables.
The RPOs conducted over the last few years by the two Luch satellites could be suggestive of more escalatory moves in the future should Russia continue to fail in deterring Europe from continuing its support for Ukraine.
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What can Europe do, in this scenario? A first welcome step has been the release of
public information exposing Russia’s activities in geostationary orbit. In the past, space operations were generally concealed under a veil of secrecy.
More transparency can be leveraged to delegitimise these activities in the eyes of the international community whilst also legitimising the development of Europe’s own counterspace programmes for self defence.
Indeed, European countries including the UK and Germany have been much more vocal about the requirement to deploy their own counterspace systems. Russia has demonstrated other in-orbit capabilities that use RPOs and can be employed as counterspace weapons.
Without a comprehensive toolbox that includes self-defence options, Europe may be
exposed to more escalatory in-space activities for which it is not adequately
prepared.
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Safeguarding its dependence on space-enabled services, from military
communications to economic connectivity, therefore requires treating orbital security as an integral component of its broader strategic posture.
