WASHINGTON.- Russia launched what is likely a space weapon and deployed it in the same orbit as a US government satellite, the Pentagon said.
“Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we assess is likely a counterspace weapon, presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit,” Pentagon spokesman Air Force Gen. Pat Ryder said at a briefing. press on Tuesday night.
The Russian “anti-space weapon” launched on May 16 was deployed “in the same orbit as a US government satellite,” Ryder said, adding that Washington will continue to monitor the situation and stands ready to protect its interests.
“We have a responsibility to be prepared to protect and defend the space domain,” he added.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov declined to comment when asked about reports that Moscow had launched a space weapon.
“I cannot comment on this in any way. We acted absolutely in accordance with international law, we did not violate anything and we have repeatedly advocated a ban on any weapons in space,” he said at a news conference in Moscow.
“Unfortunately, these initiatives of ours were rejected, including by the United States.”
On Tuesday, Moscow accused the United States of wanting to weaponize space after Washington vetoed a Russian motion on nonproliferation at the United Nations.
“They have demonstrated once again that their true priorities in outer space are not aimed at keeping space free of weapons of any kind, but rather at placing weapons in space and turning it into a theater of military confrontation,” the agency said in a statement. spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zajarova.
In recent months, the two superpowers have accused each other of wanting to weaponize space. In this context, Washington and Moscow have proposed different nonproliferation motions at the United Nations.
Russia vetoed the US initiative in April, while Moscow’s proposal was blocked by the US, UK and France on Monday.
Source: With information from AFP
