The Pentagon believes that Russia has launched an anti-satellite space military vehicle into Earth orbit. What is it for and what are the dangers?
The US Department of Defense suggests that Russia has launched a counter-space military vehicle into Earth orbit. The announcement was made by Pentagon Press Secretary Patrick Ryder.
"On May 16, Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we believe is most likely an anti-space weapon capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit,'' Ryder said.
In his words, Russia has released the "new anti-space weapon" in the same orbit as the US government satellite. Ryder did not say whether the US had prior knowledge of the device's launch.
American media: Russia is preparing to deploy a nuclear weapon in space
In February, US media, citing sources in Congress, reported that Russia was preparing to deploy a nuclear weapon in space to use against satellites. Russia is developing an anti-satellite weapon that can be used in space, and the US administration is taking Moscow's plans extremely seriously, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at the time.
Last week "The Wall Street Journal" wrote that in February 2022, Russia launched into space a satellite intended for testing the components of a potential anti-satellite nuclear weapon. According to the publication, the satellite "Cosmos-2553" and until now it is moving around the Earth.
Security Council rejects Russian resolution against weapons in space
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council rejected a Russian-drafted resolution calling on all countries "forever" to end the deployment and use of any weapon in Outer Space. The document did not gather the necessary nine votes to be adopted.
"Russia's resolution today was not serious. It was a cynical attempt to divert attention from reports that Moscow was developing a new nuclear-tipped satellite," said a representative of the British delegation.
On April 24, Russia blocked the draft resolution prepared by the US and Japan on the non-deployment of nuclear weapons in space. The Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, Vassily Nebenzya, explained the refusal to support the document by the fact that it should refer not only to nuclear weapons, but to all types of armaments.