Russia Threatens "International Space Station Withdrawal" Over Ukraine Invasion Sanctions

US Astronauts Troubled by Russia-Ukraine War
[Image Source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] Russia has decided to withdraw from the International Space Station (ISS) project as a countermeasure against Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.

According to major foreign media on the 2nd (local time), Dmitry Rogozin, head of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), said in an interview with the press, "There is no need to talk publicly since the decision has already been made." He added, "If we end cooperation on the ISS, we will notify cooperating countries one year in advance as required."

Rogozin hinted at withdrawing from the ISS project after U.S. President Joe Biden announced sanctions on Russian banks at the end of February. Through social media, he warned, "If cooperation with us is blocked, who can prevent the ISS from losing control, deviating from its orbit, and crashing into the U.S. or Europe?"

This raised many concerns in the international community about potential disruptions in ISS operations. The ISS is jointly developed and operated by the U.S. and Russia. Russia is responsible for maintaining the ISS altitude at a certain level using the engines of the space cargo ship 'Progress.'

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