As geopolitical tensions surrounding the war in Ukraine rise, Russian threats have highlighted the possibility of the country attacking Western satellites. But how would such a move work in practice and what might the potential consequences be?
Last week, a senior Russian foreign ministry official, Konstantin Vorontsov, told the United Nations that “quasi-civilian infrastructure may be a legitimate target for a retaliatory strike” and that the trend of Western satellites aiding the Ukrainian war effort was “an extremely dangerous trend.” Similar threats have also been made on Russian state TV.
SpaceX’s Starlink broadband satellite constellation has played a key role in the war, providing free internet services to Ukrainian authorities and the public. Meanwhile, many communications devices in Ukraine are utilizing the satellite network of U.S. firm Iridium, and American company Maxar…
