The US may unplug Russia from the GPS satellite navigation system as part of sanctions over the Ukrainian conflict, the head of Russia’s space agency Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, has said.
“Do you know that, now, within the framework of sanctions, the US is considering the possibility of disconnecting Russia from GPS? Do you know about this? You don’t. But I can tell you that such an option is being considered,” Rogozin told journalists on Saturday.
However, he said one shouldn’t “get too nervous” were Washington to make such a move, as Russia has its own GLONASS positioning system, which is connected to every smartphone and remains operational.
No officials in Washington have yet publicly mentioned the possible disconnection of Russia from GPS as part of restrictions against the country.