Moscow said the use of satellite imagery to benefit Ukrainian military operations could be a trigger for retaliation.
A senior Russian foreign ministry official warned on Thursday that commercial satellites from the United States and its allies could become “legitimate objectives” for Russia if they are involved in the war in Ukraine.
Russia, which in 1957 launched Sputnik 1, the first satellite, into space has a significant offensive space capability – as do the United States and China. In 2021, Russia launched an anti-satellite missile to destroy one of its own satellites.
Konstantin Vorontsov, deputy director of the State Department’s nuclear non-proliferation division, told the United Nations that the United States and its allies are “trying to use space to impose Western dominance.”
Vorontsov said the use of Western satellites to aid the Ukrainian war effort is “an extremely dangerous trend.”
“”Paramilitary infrastructure” may bea legitimate target for retaliation”Vorontsov said, adding that the use of such satellites by the West to support Ukraine is “provocative”.
“We are talking about the involvement of components of the civilian space infrastructure, including commercial, by the United States and its allies in armed conflicts,” Vorontsov was quoted as saying at the United Nations.
Vorontsov did not mention specific companies, although o Elon Musk announced earlier this month that it would continue to provide the Starlink satellite internet system to Ukraine for free, citing the need for “good deeds”. Also, Maxar often publicizes often Russian positions in Ukraine.
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
