The Kremlin threatens to shoot down American commercial satellites if they are used for military reconnaissance.
Wednesday, March 20, The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Russian authorities are aware of US intelligence attempts to use commercial satellite networks, in particular SpaceX. The Kremlin warned that such actions make the satellites “legitimate targets” for the military.
This is reported by Reuters with reference to the press secretary of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova.
“We are aware of Washington's efforts to engage the private sector to serve its military space ambitions,” she told reporters.
According to Zakharova, such systems “become a legitimate target for retaliatory measures, including military ones.”
Previously, Reuters sources reported that SpaceX is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites under a secret contract with the US spy agency, revealing deepening ties between Elon Musk's space company and national security agencies.
The network of satellites is being built by SpaceX's Starshield division as part of a $1.8 billion exploration contract. If the program is successful, the intelligence capabilities of the United States will be significantly expanded. The US military can identify targets for strikes almost anywhere on Earth.
Recall that the US intelligence community considers the creation in Russia of means capable of destroying satellites in low-Earth orbit a threat to national security.
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