The Russian Cosmonauts Have Been Criticized By NASA And The ESA For The Stunt
Russian Cosmonauts Reveal Separatist Flag On The ISS
NASA and the ESA has criticized the actions of three Russian cosmonauts on the International Space Station (ISS), after a propaganda photo was taken showing the three holding a separatist flag.
A
spokesman for NASA has stated that: “This stunt is fundamentally
inconsistent with the station's primary function among the 15
international participating countries to advance science and develop
technology for peaceful purposes”.
Their
Russian counterparts at Roscosmos and Vladimir Putin has repeatedly
threatened to summon their cosmonauts back to Earth, and cut their
contributions to the ISS.
It
is feared in both Russia and the US that the war in Ukraine has
irreparably damaged and undermined the international co-operation
required to run the ISS and keep the personnel aboard safe.
The
ISS is already slated to be decommissioned in 2031, but lack of
cooperation between NASA and Roscosmos may ease the date closer than
anticipated.