Kremlin Rejects US Accusations of Russian Anti-Satellite Weapon Launch

15:48, 22 May 2024

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - On Wednesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov dismissed Washington's accusations of Russia's launch of anti-satellite weapons as a provocation. He stressed that Moscow remains opposed to the deployment of weapons in low Earth orbit and is committed not to be the first to deploy weapons in space.

Sputnik

Russia does not violate international law, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday, commenting on the Pentagon's statement that Russia allegedly launched a satellite carrying a counterspace weapon.

"I cannot comment on this in any way. Here, we act absolutely in accordance with international law, we do not violate anything," Peskov told reporters.

On Tuesday, US Defense Department spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said that Russia launched last week a satellite carrying a counterspace weapon that is presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit.

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Ryder claimed that Russia deployed the satellite without communicating this fact to the United States. On Wednesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov call the statement misinformation.

Russia has repeatedly advocated bans on the deployment of any weapons in space, but its initiatives are rejected, Peskov said.

"We have repeatedly advocated for a ban on the launch of any weapons into space. Unfortunately, these initiatives of ours were rejected, including by the United States," Peskov told reporters.