Russian official says civilian satellites may be “legitimate” military target

In a statement, a Russian diplomat said that civilian satellites could be legitimate military targets. In a statement to the United Nations' open-ended working group on reducing space threats, a Russian official said that civilian satellites may become a legitimate target for reprisals.

An unofficial English translation of a statement by the head of the Russian delegation to the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs was used. Other countries' statements from the session are provided in the translation.

Vorontsov made a statement.

We would like to underline an extremely dangerous trend that goes beyond the harmless use of outer space technologies and has become apparent during the events in Ukraine. Namely, the use by the United States and its allies of the elements of civilian, including commercial, infrastructure in outer space for military purposes. It seems like our colleagues do not realize that such actions in fact constitute indirect involvement in military conflicts. Quasi-civilian infrastructure may become a legitimate target for retaliation.

The US provided funding for the Starlink division to send satellite terminals to Ukraine after Russia invaded the country. In the fight against Russian forces, satellite internet access has been useful.

The Outer Space Treaty may be violated by the use of civilian satellites.

Actions of the Western countries needlessly put at risk the sustainability of peaceful space activities, as well as numerous social and economic processes on Earth that affect the well-being of people, in particular in developing countries. At the very least, this provocative use of civilian satellites is questionable under the Outer Space Treaty, which provides for the exclusively peaceful use of outer space, and must be strongly condemned by the international community.

The acting deputy director of the Foreign Ministry Department for Nonproliferation and Arms Control was identified by Tass in October 2021.

In March of this year, Musk warned that there was a high chance that Russia would attack Starlink equipment in Ukraine, but he was referring to the user terminals on the ground.

Musk reported that Starlink was resistant to hacking attacks. Musk was criticized by the Russian space agency.

Russia’s anti-satellite missile test drew condemnation

Russia tested an anti-satellite missile. "US officials condemned the act of shooting down the two-ton satellite at an altitude below 500 km, which is high enough that debris will remain inorbit for at least the next five to 10 years and may threaten many valuable assets, including the International Space Station," an Ars article states.

One day after Germany and Japan pledged not to conduct destructive anti-satellite tests, Russia made a statement at the UN on space threats. Russia hasn't made a pledge.

In April, Vice President Harris said the US "commits not to conduct destructive direct-ascent anti-satellite missile testing." Harris said that the tests are dangerous and won't be conducted.

It would be difficult to attack Starlink in space because of the number of satellites launched by the company.

According to the Space.com article, Starlink isn't the only satellite operator providing important services. Commercial satellite imagery firms such as Planet, Maxar and BlackSky have been providing crucial intelligence by taking pictures of the conflict from above and sharing them openly.