WASHINGTON: Russia has launched a possible area weapon and deployed it in the identical orbit as a US authorities satellite tv for pc, the Pentagon mentioned.
“Russia launched a satellite tv for pc into low Earth orbit that we assess is probably going a counter-space weapon presumably able to attacking different satellites in low Earth orbit,” Pentagon spokesman Air Pressure Main Normal Pat Ryder informed a press briefing on Tuesday.
The Russian “counter-space weapon” launched on Could 16 was deployed “into the identical orbit as a US authorities satellite tv for pc,” he mentioned. Ryder added that Washington would proceed to watch the scenario and was prepared to guard its pursuits.
“We have now a duty to be prepared to guard and defend the area, the area area, and guarantee steady and uninterrupted assist to the Joint and Mixed Pressure,” he mentioned.
Pentagon says Russian weapon is ‘presumably able to attacking different satellites in low Earth orbit’
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to remark when requested about stories that Moscow had launched an area weapon. “I can’t touch upon this in any method. We act completely in accordance with worldwide legislation, don’t violate something, and have repeatedly advocated banning any weapons in area,” he informed an everyday press briefing in Moscow. “Sadly, these initiatives of ours have been rejected, together with by the USA.”
On Tuesday, Moscow accused america of in search of to weaponise area after Washington joined different members of the Safety Council in voting down a Russian non-proliferation decision on the United Nations.
“They’ve as soon as once more demonstrated that their true priorities within the space of outer area are aimed not at maintaining area free from weapons of any sort, however at inserting weapons in area and turning it into an area for army confrontation,” Russian international ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova mentioned in a press release.
Rival UN motions
The world powers have traded accusations over weaponising area in current months.
They’ve proposed rival non-proliferation resolutions on the UN as a part of the spat.
Russia vetoed the US initiative final month, whereas Moscow’s proposal failed after receiving solely seven votes in assist, with seven towards, and one abstention, on Monday.
US envoy Robert Wooden mentioned Russia’s proposal, which known as on all international locations to “take pressing measures to stop forever the position of weapons in outer area”, was a distraction and accused Moscow of “diplomatic gaslighting”. He mentioned that Russia’s “probably” counter-space weapon was “presumably able to attacking different satellites in low Earth orbit”.
“Russia deployed this new counter-space weapon into the identical orbit as a US authorities satellite tv for pc,” he mentioned in remarks forward of Monday’s vote. “Russia’s Could 16 launch follows prior Russian satellite tv for pc launches probably of counter-space methods to low Earth orbit in 2019 and 2022.”
In February, the White Home mentioned Russia was creating an anti-satellite weapon, the existence of which was confirmed after lawmakers warned of an unspecified however severe menace to nationwide safety.
Printed in Daybreak, Could twenty third, 2024