No you can't (put something into orbit whenever you want to). Both SpaceX launch sites (Vanderberg AFB and Cape Canaveral) are very close to oceans, and any surface to air missile from a ship in international waters will reliably prevent launch attempts. Of course, this'll mean war, but the same can be said about shooting down sats in space. In other words, this news article is a part of blame and smear campaign against China and Russia; lacking any details and evidence, just like "Taliban bounties"