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7/10/2025, 11:03:34 AM
>In a recent interview US astronaut Colonel Terry Virts discusses his time aboard the International Space Station alongside his Russian crewmates in 2014-2015. This coincided with Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the initial invasion of Ukraine's eastern regions.
>During this time, Virts shared the space station with several Russian cosmonauts, and initially, their relationship was warm and friendly.
>"I'd have dinner with them every night, and they teach me words you don't learn in Russian class," Virts described. "We had a good time together."
>"We were looking out the window, and we're flying over Europe," Virts explained. "And all of a sudden, we saw these little red flashes on the ground."
>The 57-year-old added: "So, we were watching Russians bomb Ukrainians in the winter of 2015. It was just profound."
>Furthermore, Virts admitted feeling 'weird' when his commander, Anton Shkaplerov, who was born in Crimea, proudly celebrated Russia’s annexation of the region - something Virts referred to as 'perverted imperialism.'
>Even more unsettling for Virts was that his crewmates - whom he viewed as intelligent and well-educated - openly supported Russia’s political leadership and military actions. "All three of them went to join Putin's party [...] and they were supporting the war," Virts said.
>"And these guys are the most enlightened people in the world. [...] And yet, they still went to support this evil war. It was incredibly disappointing."
>During this time, Virts shared the space station with several Russian cosmonauts, and initially, their relationship was warm and friendly.
>"I'd have dinner with them every night, and they teach me words you don't learn in Russian class," Virts described. "We had a good time together."
>"We were looking out the window, and we're flying over Europe," Virts explained. "And all of a sudden, we saw these little red flashes on the ground."
>The 57-year-old added: "So, we were watching Russians bomb Ukrainians in the winter of 2015. It was just profound."
>Furthermore, Virts admitted feeling 'weird' when his commander, Anton Shkaplerov, who was born in Crimea, proudly celebrated Russia’s annexation of the region - something Virts referred to as 'perverted imperialism.'
>Even more unsettling for Virts was that his crewmates - whom he viewed as intelligent and well-educated - openly supported Russia’s political leadership and military actions. "All three of them went to join Putin's party [...] and they were supporting the war," Virts said.
>"And these guys are the most enlightened people in the world. [...] And yet, they still went to support this evil war. It was incredibly disappointing."
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