Using SpaceX for espionage makes its satellites a target. By Reuters

© Reuters. The SpaceX logo and Elon Musk silhouette are visible in this picture taken on December 19, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia said on Wednesday it was aware of efforts by U.S. intelligence agencies to exploit commercial satellite operators such as SpaceX and warned that such moves were targeting their satellites legitimately.

Reuters reported this month that SpaceX is building a network of hundreds of surveillance satellites under a confidential contract with U.S. intelligence agencies, underscoring the 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 realize its military space ambitions,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters.

These systems “are legitimate targets for retaliatory measures, including military systems,” Zakharova said.