Starlink satellites have been used to assist Ukraine during Russia’s invasion.
A senior Russian foreign ministry official told the United Nations that commercial satellites that the United States and its allies are using could become “legitimate” targets for retaliation by Russia.
Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, western commercial satellites have documented Russia’s military developments, damage to Russian air bases, and even mass graves in areas occupied by Russian forces.
The use of “commercial, infrastructure elements in outer space for military purposes” by the U.S. and its allies constitutes an “extremely dangerous trend,” Konstantin Vorontsov, deputy director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s non-proliferation and arms control department, said in remarks published by Russia’s permanent mission to the UN. “These States do not realize that such actions in fact constitute indirect participation in military conflicts,” he added.
Elon Musk has deployed his company SpaceX’s Starlink satellites above Ukraine since the early days of the war to help provide internet service. Earlier this month, Musk said the Starlink satellites provide a ”major battlefield advantage” to Ukraine.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For U.S. officials as they consider the risk of attack on U.S. commercial satellites.
- For wisdom for Elon Musk and leaders in the U.S. government as they respond to Russia’s threats.
- For the people of Ukraine as the Russian invasion continues.
Sources: Axios, Reuters
