War in Orbit: Why the Use of Chinese Satellites in Russia's War Against Ukraine Violates International Law

Russia's dependence on Chinese satellites not only reveals an imbalance in space technologies but also destroys the global regime of "peaceful space", provoking legal responsibility for both states

War in Ukraine has long gone beyond the boundaries of the earthly plane. Today, the battlefield is not only Donbas or the Black Sea, but also Earth's orbit. Russia is increasingly actively using space technologies for guiding strikes on Ukraine, and China, according to intelligence data, helps Moscow obtain satellite reconnaissance. This is not a technical trifle, but a direct violation of international law, which can become the basis for international lawsuits and new sanctions.

Why Do Such Actions Violate the Basic Norms of Space Law?

The 1967 Space Treaty, which was signed by both China and Russia, enshrines three fundamental principles.

First, space does not belong to any state and must be used "for the benefit of all mankind". Providing satellite data for war contradicts the very idea of "peaceful use of space".

Second, each state bears international responsibility for national activities in space, including for private companies that it licenses or controls. If Chinese commercial or semi-state structures provide Russia with satellite data for planning attacks, the legal responsibility for this lies with the government of the People's Republic of China.

Third, the treaty obliges to avoid "harmful interference" in the activities of other states. The military use of Chinese satellites for strikes on Ukraine is exactly such interference.

According to international customary law, a state that helps another state commit internationally unlawful acts bears joint responsibility. Providing reconnaissance photographs or coordinates that help in the destruction of Ukraine's civilian infrastructure is exactly such assistance.

There Are Factual Evidence of Cooperation

According to data from the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine, during the Russian missile strike in the night of October 5 over the Lviv region, Chinese reconnaissance satellites were flying overhead. This fact coincided with the trajectories of Russian missiles. Ukrainian analysts believe that Moscow may use Chinese satellite images for refining targets.

The Pentagon estimates the Chinese constellation of reconnaissance satellites at over 260 vehicles – against approximately 30 in Russia. Such an imbalance makes Moscow dependent on Chinese technologies. American and European special services have also repeatedly warned that Beijing supplies Russia with geospatial data and satellite communication infrastructure.

Chinese satellites of the Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 series, according to data from the US Space Force, are capable of performing close approach maneuvers at ultra-low distances—a technology that can be used both for servicing and for intercepting foreign vehicles. If such means transmit information to the Russian army, this is no longer "scientific cooperation", but participation in the war.

Why This Creates Legal Risks for China

When a state consciously provides technical assistance in aggression, it violates not only the principles of the UN Charter, but also the foundations of international responsibility. In this case, it is about facilitating war crimes – attacks on civilian objects, power grids, hospitals. Providing satellite information that allows more accurate planning of such strikes is an element of complicity.

Ukraine can use these facts for preparing international lawsuits. The legal basis may be the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects (1972), as well as norms on assistance in the commission of international wrongs (Article 16 of the draft articles of the International Law Commission).

In addition, Western states may consider such actions of China as "material support to the aggressor state". This provides grounds for sanctions against Chinese companies involved in the transmission of data, and for restrictions in joint scientific space programs with the People's Republic of China.

Geopolitical Dimension: Beijing Acts as a Partner of the Aggressor

China and Russia have been synchronizing their positions in the field of space security for several years. They jointly promote initiatives in the UN Security Council on "banning weapons in space", while developing dual-use technologies that have military applications. Such a dual policy is a classic example of hypocrisy: publicly – peaceful declarations, in practice – strategic partnership with the aggressor.

For the democratic world, this situation is a challenge. If China, the second space power in the world, uses its satellites to help a country that is waging an aggressive war, this destroys the foundations of the international space regime. A precedent of impunity would mean that space is no longer "the common heritage of mankind", but turns into an arena of military expansion of authoritarian regimes.

Is There Legal Weapon Against Satellite War?

The use of Chinese satellites in the interests of Russia is not a technical trifle and not a diplomatic "gray zone". This is a direct violation of international law, which creates grounds for lawsuits, sanctions, and political isolation.

Ukraine has every right to initiate legal procedures, demand accountability, and seek to create an international precedent. After all, war in orbit is a continuation of war on earth. And if the world allows the use of space for the destruction of peaceful cities, tomorrow this war may return to the initiators themselves.

China, which seeks to appear as a global mediator, today stands before a choice: to remain a neutral actor or to turn into an accomplice of aggression. The international community must give this choice a clear legal and political assessment.

Volodymyr Kuznetsov, communications specialist, expert at the United Ukraine Think Tank