US Tells Allies Russia May Launch Anti-Satellite Nuclear Weapon Into Space This Year
- Russia says it has no plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space
- Weapon would target communications satellites, not people
The US has told allies that Russia could deploy a nuclear weapon or a mock warhead into space as early as this year, according to people familiar with the matter.
Russia is developing a space-based capability to knock out satellites using a nuclear weapon, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity. A nuclear warhead in orbit would violate the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, to which Russia is a signatory.