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On May 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly launched a new and alarming weapon system into space, designed specifically as a satellite-killer. This system, which can track and potentially attack other countries' satellites, has raised significant concerns within the US defense community.

Previously reported as a mere space satellite, US officials now warn that this object could be a counter-space weapon. The Russian state space agency, Roskosmos, announced that the launch was conducted "in the interests of the defense ministry of the Russian Federation."

Despite claims by Putin and former defense minister Sergei Shoigu that Moscow is against space warfare and the deployment of nuclear weapons in space, Russia recently vetoed a US resolution at the United Nations aimed at banning nuclear weapons in space.

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Satellite-Killer Raises Alarms

The Pentagon has revealed that the Russian counter-space weapon was placed into the "same orbit" as a US government satellite and is likely tracking it. The object, believed to be Cosmos-2576, was launched on May 16 aboard a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, located approximately 497 miles north of Moscow.

Cosmos-2576 is now sharing the same orbital path as the American spy satellite USA 314, which was launched by the US Space Force and is operated by the US National Reconnaissance Office. An unofficial Russian source claimed that the launch included a "secret military device" likely a Satellite-Killer.

Both the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the US Northern Command are closely monitoring the Russian weapon system.

Pentagon Reacts

Military experts have long warned that Putin might resort to launching deadly weapons if he felt his grip on power was threatened by conflicts with Ukraine and the West.

The US has made efforts to prevent Russia from developing a nuclear space strike capability, fearing that such a weapon could emit an energy wave capable of crippling both commercial and government satellites, essential for mobile communications and internet services.

US intelligence chiefs warned in February that Russia might plan to deploy nuclear weapons in space, posing a "grave" threat to global security.