Kathrine Frich
What was once a symbol of post-Cold War unity has become a nightmare.
The ISS was once a rare arena for peaceful US-Russia cooperation. But according to Virts, cosmic camaraderie has collapsed.
Became a Dark Nightmare
Former NASA astronaut Terry Virts has launched a scathing attack on his ex-Russian colleagues aboard the International Space Station, accusing some of them of supporting Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.
What was once a symbol of post-Cold War unity, he says, has become a “dark nightmare”.
“They Sold Their Souls”
Virts, a veteran of 213 days in space and former ISS commander, claims several Russian cosmonauts have abandoned democratic values in exchange for luxury perks, political power, and repeat missions.
“Fancy SUVs, bougie apartments, plum jobs for their kids,” he listed. “They sold their souls to an evil regime.”
The Space Station’s Spirit Is Fractured
The ISS was once a rare arena for peaceful US-Russia cooperation. But according to Virts, cosmic camaraderie has collapsed.
After watching bombs rain on Ukraine from orbit in 2015 with Russian colleague Sasha Samokutyaev, he says he’s now devastated that some of those crewmates have joined Putin’s parliament and “enthusiastically enabled” the war.
“These Are People Who Know Better”
In a powerful op-ed for The Next Move (founded by Garry Kasparov), Virts writes that the betrayal stings because his former colleagues trained in the West, spoke English, and knew the truth.
“They’ve seen the world outside Russia. They know Putin is lying, and they chose to serve him anyway.”
Virts to Trump: Cut All Space Ties with Russia
Virts is now urging President Trump and NASA to sever all space cooperation with Russia.
That includes halting joint missions, science projects, and capsule launches, and banning Russian cosmonauts from NASA craft.
“The relationship is past its best-by date,” he declared.
“From Trusted Allies to Tools of Evil”
He calls it one of the most painful revelations of his life: seeing friends he once entrusted with his survival in space become mouthpieces for Putin’s regime.
“Even some of our closest Russian partners, people we literally trusted with our lives, have shown us their true colours. We should believe them.”
“No More Space with Dictators”
For Virts, the message is clear: future space exploration must exclude authoritarian states.
“The cost of cooperation is too high,” he wrote. “This isn’t just about rockets. it’s about values.”
From the high ground of Earth’s orbit, he says, we now see a clearer picture of what’s at stake.