Chinese satellite start-up named in US sanctions aimed at Wagner group denies aiding Russia in Ukraine war
- Spacety denies breaching any foreign rules or laws and says it has not had ties with Russia since Moscow came under international sanctions
- US Treasury says Spacety provided radar satellite imagery ‘to enable Wagner combat operations’ in Ukraine
In a statement Spacety denied it had breached any foreign laws.
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“We … solemnly affirm and declare that we have been strictly abiding by the laws and regulations of relevant countries and regions in course of business development, and fully comply with the international sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and the European Union, and never have any ties with Russia at all after international sanctions were imposed,” it said.
“Our products and services are all used for civil and commercial purposes and do not involve any military use. We have never had any commercial relationship, or made any deal, or signed any agreements with the Russian entity accused by the United States or other Russian entities, and we have never … participated in any form of military activities in support of the Russo-Ukrainian War and the Wagner group.”
Spacety, which was founded in 2016, said it was working to ensure “transparent, fair and just treatment”. It said it was eager to work with relevant government departments and would continue to abide by the laws and regulations of their operating countries.
On Monday, when the Chinese foreign ministry resumed its regular press briefings after the Chinese New Year holiday, spokeswoman Mao Ning responded to a Bloomberg article published on Tuesday. It quoted anonymous sources saying that Washington saw evidence of Chinese companies providing non-lethal military and economic aid to Russia.
“We won’t stand with folded hands, add fuel to the fire or take advantage of the situation,” Mao said of Beijing’s stance in the “Ukraine problem” – a phrase it has used since last February to address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
