Russia Hints at Destroying Civilian, Commercial Space Infrastructures Working with Ukraine

Russia sent a warning to companies using “outer space technologies,” saying their equipment may become legitimate military targets if proven to be working with the West for intelligence and communications purposes.

This comes as Russian Foreign Ministry Head of Delegation Konstantin Vorontsov said during the United Nations’ open-ended working group (OEWG) meeting on reducing space threats that “outer space becoming a launching pad for aggression and war.”

Vorontsov added that the use of civilian and commercial infrastructure in outer space for military purposes has now become an “extremely dangerous trend that goes beyond the harmless use of outer space technologies” and has become apparent in Ukraine.

Russia then pinpointed the United States and its allies, adding that their actions use of such infrastructure constitutes “indirect involvement in military conflicts.”

Vorontsov then said that “quasi-civilian infrastructure may become a legitimate target for retaliation.”

During the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister and Digital Minister Mykhailo Fedorov sought the aid of billionaire Elon Musk for help.

“@elonmusk, while you try to colonize Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand,” Fedorov tweeted on February 26.

Musk, who owns Starlink, replied several hours after Fedorov’s tweet, saying that Starlink is in Ukraine.

“Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route,” Musk replied.

Musk has chosen to support Ukraine in the war.

The first batch of Starlink terminals arrived in Ukraine on February 28. The second batch arrived soon after on March 10.

After Starlink was activated and used heavily in Ukraine, Musk received death threats, showing a picture on May 8 on Twitter that shows Dmitry Rogozin, the head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, threatening Musk’s life.

“@Rogozin sent this to Russian media,” Musk wrote on Twitter on May 8.

“And for this, you will have to answer in an adult way, Elon, no matter how you turn on the fool.”

Musk tweeted the following day “If I die under mysterious circumstances, it’s been nice knowin ya.”

Starlink has been providing support to Ukrainians since its activation, serving as a lifeline for Ukrainians not to get cut off from information as Moscow took over internet infrastructure in occupied areas. (GFB)