Pentagon: Russia launched a space weapon into the path of a US satellite

2024-05-22 16:34:31, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Pentagon has accused Russia of possibly placing a space weapon in the same orbit as a US government satellite.

" Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we assess is likely to be a space weapon, likely capable of attacking other satellites located there ," Pentagon spokesman Air Force Gen. Pat Ryder said. , at a press conference late Tuesday.

The Russian "space weapon" launched on May 16 was placed "in the same orbit as a US government satellite," he added.

Spokesman Ryder added that Washington will continue to monitor the situation and is ready to defend its interests.

" We have a responsibility to protect our space interests and provide continuous and uninterrupted support to the Joint and Combined Forces ," he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Moscow accused the United States of seeking to put weapons in space after Washington vetoed a Russian proposal at the United Nations against proliferation.

" They have shown once again that their real priorities in the field of space are not to keep space free of weapons of any kind, but to put weapons there and turn space into an arena of military confrontation ," a statement from the spokeswoman said. Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova.

In recent months, world powers have exchanged numerous accusations over efforts to militarize space.

They have made rival proposals to the United Nations as part of negotiations on the issue.

Russia vetoed the US initiative last month, and in a vote on Monday, Moscow's proposal was blocked by Washington, London and Paris.

US UN envoy Robert Wood said Russia's proposal, which called on all countries to "take urgent measures to permanently prevent the deployment of weapons in space", was an attempt at distraction and accused Moscow of "diplomatic manipulation". .

He said Russia's "potential" anti-space weapon was "likely capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit".

" Russia put this new anti-space weapon into the same orbit as a US government satellite ," he said in comments before Monday's vote.

" Russia's action on May 16 follows previous launches of Russian satellites, likely space weapons, into low Earth orbit in 2019 and 2022 ," he added.

In February, the White House said Russia was working to produce an anti-satellite weapon, the existence of which was confirmed after lawmakers warned of a serious threat to national security, but gave no details./ VOA