Russia Put Weapon into Space on May 16, Confirms Pentagon

U.S. Space Command announced on Tuesday that Russia recently launched a satellite that American intelligence suspects may be a weapon capable of inspecting and attacking other satellites. The Russian spacecraft is currently following a U.S. spy satellite in orbit.

The Soyuz rocket, launched from Russia’s Plesetsk site, deployed at least nine satellites into low-Earth orbit on May 16, including COSMOS 2576, a Russian military “inspector” spacecraft that the U.S. has criticized for its aggressive behavior in space.

A spokesperson for USSPACECOM stated, “We have observed nominal activity and assess it is likely a counterspace weapon presumably capable of attacking other satellites in low Earth orbit. Russia deployed this new counterspace weapon into the same orbit as a U.S. government satellite.”

COSMOS 2576 is similar to previously deployed Russian satellites that the U.S. has deemed as counterspace weapons. The satellite has not yet approached a U.S. satellite, but it is currently on the same orbital ring as USA 314, a large NRO satellite launched in 2021.

The launch of this satellite comes amid allegations from the U.S. that Russia is developing a space-based nuclear weapon capable of destroying satellite networks. While Russia has launched satellites related to this program, U.S. officials assert that a nuclear weapon has not been deployed in space.

Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has heightened its space activities and threats towards U.S. satellites supporting Ukrainian defense efforts. The U.S. and Russia are in conflict at the United Nations Security Council regarding satellite weapons.