Russia is accusing the United States of spreading disinformation after the Pentagon claimed Moscow had launched a counter-space weapon into the same orbit as a U.S. government satellite. The allegation comes amid heightened tensions and as Russia begins exercises simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons, signaling a warning to the West against deeper involvement in Ukraine.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder disclosed the U.S. assessment on Tuesday, indicating Russia deployed the satellite on May 16. Ryder stated, “Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we assess is likely a counter-space weapon, presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit.” He noted the satellite was in the same orbit as an American satellite but did not specify if the U.S. satellite was in immediate danger.
Meanwhile, Russia‘s state space agency Roscosmos has confirmed a Soyuz rocket carrying a “spacecraft on board” was recently launched from the country’s Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The agency acknowledged the launch was conducted on behalf of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The U.S. military, as well as lawmakers on Capitol Hill, have become increasingly concerned about Russia potentially developing a space-based nuclear weapon to target American satellites. Russian government officials have denied these claims.
Responding to the latest accusations, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov dismissed the latest U.S. assessment as an “information hoax” and reiterated Russia‘s opposition to the deployment of weapons in space. Additionally, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Russia acts in accordance with international law and has advocated for a ban on space weaponization, a stance rejected by the U.S.
