The United States claims that Russia launched a space weapon

The United States suspects that the satellite launched by Russia is a space weapon that Russia will use against American satellites. 

The US and Russia accuse each other of weaponizing space. 3D images of satellites orbiting the Earth. KONSTANTIN SHAKLEIN / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, AOP

The United States Department of Defense has accused Russia of launching a space weapon. The Pentagon suspects that the satellite launched by Russia may be capable of attacking American satellites in Earth orbit.

Defense Department spokesman Pat Ryder said at a press conference on Tuesday that the satellite launched by Russia on May 16 "is likely a space weapon, which may be capable of attacking other satellites in Earth orbit".

- Russia launched a new space weapon into the same orbit as a US government satellite, Ryder told reporters.

The US and Russia have vetoed UN resolutions banning space weapons. First, Russia vetoed the US resolution last month, then the US did the same for the Russian resolution.

Reuters news agency reported on Wednesday that Russia launched the Cosmos 2576 satellite, a suspected space weapon, into orbit from the Arkhangelsk region last week. Reuters reported, citing US authorities, that the Cosmos satellite appears to be in pursuit of the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

On Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry accused the US of placing weapons in space. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov gave no further details other than that Russian intelligence agencies were monitoring the situation in Earth orbit.