"International Space Station Could Crash Due to Western Sanctions"... Russia Endures with 'Countermeasures'

Russian President Vladimir Putin is presiding over a cabinet meeting via video conference at the Moscow Kremlin on the 10th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Russia has hinted at retaliatory measures in response to international sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine.

On the 12th (local time), according to AFP, Dmitry Rogozin, head of the Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS), warned via Telegram that the International Space Station (ISS) could crash due to Western sanctions against Russia.

Rogozin stated, "The Russian segment of the ISS adjusts its orbit about 11 times a year to avoid space debris," and warned that the operation of the ISS could be disrupted by Western sanctions, potentially causing 500 tons of structure to fall into the sea or on land. He added that the crash site would not be in Russia and urged the West to lift the sanctions.

Earlier, at the end of last month, Rogozin also criticized Western sanctions against Russia and suggested the possibility of halting space cooperation with the United States. At that time, he warned on Twitter that "new US sanctions could result in the space station uncontrollably plunging toward Earth," indicating that the ISS could deviate from its orbit and crash.

The Russian Foreign Ministry is also expected to announce personal sanctions against Western politicians and businesspeople soon. This is seen as retaliation against earlier sanctions imposed by the West, including the US, targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, his close associates, and major business figures.

According to RIA Novosti on the 12th, Sergey Ryabkov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, said in an interview with the state-run Channel One TV, "The list of sanctioned individuals has already been prepared, and we are currently working on it daily."

Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov emphasized that Russia had anticipated and prepared for Western sanctions against it. He added, "Russia will respond with composure," signaling the preparation of strong retaliatory measures.

President Joe Biden of the United States
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Russia responded to Western economic sanctions by restricting the export of a total of 500 types of Russian products.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 12th, the detailed list of export bans and restrictions announced by Russia on the 9th includes 219 banned items and 281 restricted items.

The export ban items controlled by the Russian Customs Service include semiconductor devices and electronic ICs. The restricted items are managed by export permits from five ministries, including the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Previously, the Russian government announced that, as a measure to prevent domestic supply shortages and price increases, it would ban the export of certain items to all foreign countries except Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia until the end of this year.

Accordingly, 48 countries designated as unfriendly by Russia, including South Korea, face restrictions on the export of certain types of timber. However, the Russian government specified that "goods originating from Russian territory" are exempt from the export ban and restrictions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.