Russia to the US: Use of SpaceX for Spying Makes Satellites Target

Russia said on Wednesday that it knew about US intelligence efforts to use commercial satellite operators such as SpaceX and cautioned that such moves made their satellites legitimate targets.

The SpaceX is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites under a classified contract with a US intelligence agency, demonstrating deepening ties between Elon Musk’s space company and national security agencies.

“We are aware of Washington’s efforts to attract the private sector to serve its military space ambitions,” Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
Such systems “become a legitimate target for retaliatory measures, including military ones,” Zakharova said