In a statement on Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu reiterated Russia’s stance, denying any intentions to deploy nuclear weapons in space. The clarification comes in response to recent claims by US media outlets suggesting Russia’s development of undisclosed anti-satellite capabilities, potentially nuclear in nature, posing a perceived national security threat.
President Putin emphasized Russia’s firm opposition to the militarization of space, stating, “Our position is clear and transparent: We have always been categorically against the deployment of nuclear weapons in space.” Shoigu, reporting on the military operation in Ukraine, echoed this sentiment, affirming, “Russia has not deployed and does not intend to deploy nuclear weapons in space.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the US claims as a tactic to expedite approval of military aid to Ukraine. However, John Kirby from the US National Security Council asserted the credibility of the threat, albeit not immediate.
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967, endorsed by major powers including the US, Soviet Union, and the UK, prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons in space, with over 100 countries joining the treaty since its inception.
