Russia retaliates against sanctions by refusing to cooperate with US-Europe in the space sector

Moscow/Washington/London: – Russia has retaliated against the sanctions imposed by the western countries over the Russia-Ukraine war. Russia, one of the leaders in the space sector, has decided not to supply technology and provide facilities in the space sector to the United States and the United Kingdom. Dmitry Rogozin, Director General of Roscosmos, retorted that the United States will now be riding a broom into space. Rogozin had lashed out at the United States, even in the past, over the International Space Station (ISS) issue.

Moreover, the western countries have imposed large scale sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. US President Biden had warned while announcing the sanctions that effort would be made to finish the Russian space capabilities and economy. An intense reaction had been received from Russia over this.

Rogozin had asked ‘If the United States is not going to cooperate with Russia regarding the ISS, who will save the ISS from the space debris. There is the possibility of the ISS crashing on the earth following such an accident. But the ISS cannot crash into Russia. What will you do if it crashes in the United States or Europe? Has the United States prepared for the eventuality?’

Following that, Russia decided to stop the supply of RD-180 engines used in the United States for satellite launches. These engines are used in the first stage of the rocket launchers used by NASA. Russia has supplied 122 such engines to the United States and 98 engines out of these have been used. Dmitry Rogozin, Director General of Roscosmos, has retorted against the United States referring to these sanctions on the rocket engines.

Dmitry Rogozin, Director General of Roscosmos, warned, ‘We cannot supply our best engines to the United States given the sanctions. If the United States intends to fly into space, they will use a broom. We cannot help in this matter.’ Following the United States, Russia has imposed sanctions on space cooperation with Germany, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.

Russia has withdrawn from space cooperation with Germany. Russia also announced that the satellites of the British Oneweb company would not be launched, henceforth. Russia also announced the cancellation of the agreement with the European Space Agency.