The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called civilian satellites used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine as legitimate targets

If civilian satellites manufactured by Western countries in Ukraine are used by the enemy for military purposes, then they can become “legitimate targets” of Russia. Such a statement did In an interview with RIA Novosti, Vladimir Yermakov, director of the Foreign Ministry’s department for non-proliferation and arms control.

“We confirm that such a quasi-civilian infrastructure, if used in military operations against Russia, can quite logically become a legitimate target for retaliatory defeat,” he stressed.

According to him, such actions would be contrary to the Outer Space Treaty, which implies its use exclusively for peaceful purposes. The diplomat added that the use of civilian satellites for military purposes requires “serious condemnation by the world community.”

Yermakov explained that with the help of a group of low-orbit vehicles, the Armed Forces of Ukraine learn about the places of deployment, routes of movement and actions of Russian troops. He admitted that in the future, the United States, with the help of civilian satellites that cover the entire territory of the Earth, can control troops anywhere in the world. At the same time, the diplomat added, “the vast majority of states do not have effective means of counteraction.”

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry had already warned that US commercial satellites could become “legitimate targets” for strike if they were used in the conflict in Ukraine. “These states obviously do not fully realize that such activities, in fact, constitute indirect participation in armed conflicts. Quasi-civilian infrastructure could be a legitimate target for retaliation.” declared Deputy Director of the Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control of the Russian Foreign Ministry Konstantin Vorontsov.

Later, the White House said that an attack on American infrastructure would entail a response. John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator at the White House National Security Council (NSC), stressed that Washington intends to continue using its funds.

After the start of the special operation in Ukraine, the Russian authorities have repeatedly said that civilian satellites are used in Ukraine for military purposes. In particular, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that several hundred private satellites are involved in hostilities “along the lines of Western governments,” including Starlink satellites. October 28 Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev urged SpaceX founder Elon Musk to “tie up” with Starlink in Ukraine.

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