In following up with its earlier threats to turn off all GPS service stations located on Russian soil unless the US agrees to allow Russia to place GLONASS stations in US, Russia has “taken under control” the operation of 11 American GPS sites and ensured they cannot be used for military purposes.

May 31 was the deadline for Russia and the US to reach a deal on the issue, and with that falling through, the Russian spae agency, Roscosmos released the following statement on the 1 June:

“In compliance with the Russian government’s instruction, Roscosmos and the Federal Agency for Scientific Organizations implemented measures on June 1, 2014, which excluded the use of information from global seismographic network stations working on signals from the GPS system and located on the territory of the Russian Federation for purposes not stipulated by the existing agreements, including for military purposes.”

Russia’s deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Rogozin – the official behind the move – further elaborated by tweeting:

“We have worked out and implemented measures that exclude the use of these [GPS] stations for military purposes. Now they are under our full control.”

The Differential GPS ground stations located on Russian soil will continue to operate under existing agreements and will fulfil civic purposes.

Also according to Rogozin, Moscow has initiated talks with the United States on GLONASS deployment on the US territory, and a new August-31 deadline created, after which, if an agreement is reached, “new decisions will be taken.”

So far there are 14 GLONASS monitor stations in Russia, one in Brazil and one in Antarctica at Russia’s Bellingshausen station. More stations are expected to be built in the near future, with eight more in Russia, two more in Brazil, another in the Antarctic, and one each in Australia, Cuba, Indonesia, Spain, and Vietnam.