Russia could make low-Earth orbit unusable - Pentagon

Photo: Russia could make low-Earth orbit unusable (Getty Images)

The United States is concerned about Moscow's veto of the UN resolution against the launch of nuclear weapons into space, according to Defense One.

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Plumb noted with concern Moscow's recent veto of a UN resolution against the launch of nuclear weapons into space.

“Several analysts do believe that detonation in space at the right magnitude in the right location could render low-Earth orbit, for example, unusable for some period of time,” John Plumb said.

What preceded it

Plumb's statement followed the confirmation last week by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan that “the United States assesses that Russia is developing a new satellite carrying a nuclear device.”

Plumb confirmed that the Russian weapon is intended to be a satellite in orbit, but did not say which orbit.

Russia is developing a “concerning anti-satellite capability related to a new satellite carrying a nuclear device that Russia is developing. This capability could pose a threat to all satellites operated by countries and companies around the globe, as well as to the vital communications, scientific, meteorological, agricultural, commercial, and national security services we all depend upon,” he stated.

Plumb called Russia “hypocritical” for claiming that it will not deploy weapons in space while refusing to sign the UN resolution.

Today, the Pentagon announced that the United States is monitoring Russia's military cooperation with other countries.

We also reported that the United States has expanded the list of sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation. Read more about the sanctions in the material of RBC-Ukraine.