MOSCOW: Western nations have been using civilian space assets to conduct military action against Moscow in Ukraine, a Russian diplomat has said, warning that the country may consider these types of satellites to be legitimate military targets, media reported.
Speaking at a space event at the UN on Wednesday, Russian representative Konstantin Vorontsov expressed concern about the "extremely dangerous" trend that "came to the forefront during the conflict in Ukraine." The US and its allies have been using "elements of the civilian space infrastructure, including commercial, for military purposes."
"These nations apparently do not quite realize that such activity essentially constitutes an involvement in military action through a proxy. Quasi-civilian infrastructure may be considered a legitimate target for a retaliatory strike," he warned, RT reported.
Vorontsov, who serves as deputy head of the non-proliferation department in the Russian Foreign Ministry, said this path of escalation could become disastrous for all nations relying on space technology in their lives. He urged international discussion of the situation to prevent a "full-scale arms race in space."
The US has been supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia with arms supplies and other forms of military aid, such as intelligence, while claiming not to be directly involved in the conflict. (IANS)
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