Russia is considering deploying nuclear weapons into outer space to increase its influence and potentially target satellites, the NATO head argued.
The Kremlin is facing accusations of engaging in sabotage of critical Western infrastructure, such as the International Submarine Cable, and according to NATO Executive Director Mark Latte, the Kremlin may be aiming at a much more important target.
I'll talk to you German welt is sonntag Newspaper, former Dutch Prime Minister I said“We are aware of reports that Russia is investigating the possibility of placing nuclear weapons in space.”
Latte said that Russia's capabilities in space are “outdated,” so the Kremlin may try to level the playing field against Western powers by deploying nuclear weapons in space.
The head of the Western Military Alliance states that such weapons are more likely to be used against satellites rather than to strike targets on Earth, which could cause chaos on Earth.
“Space-based systems have a direct impact on lifestyles that ensure that mobile phones, banking services, and weather forecasts work, for example,” he said. “But space is also extremely important to deterrent and defence, and is just as important as the land, sea, air and cyberspace areas.”
Latte pointed out that the deployment of nuclear weapons in space violated the 1967 Space Treaty.
Indeed, Article IV of the Convention situation The country is prohibited from “an object carrying nuclear weapons or other types of weapons of mass destruction from entering orbit around the Earth, placing such weapons on celestial bodies, or otherwise stationing such weapons in outer space.
NATO has increasingly been interested in space as a potential territory of conflict, and announced that in 2021, Article 5 of the Alliance Treaty requires that all members come to the defense of another member if attacked.
Alliances too Established In 2020, the NATO Space Center in Ramstein, Germany, officially recognized space as an operating domain along air, cyber, land and ocean.
This comes after President Donald Trump created the US Space Force (USSF) in 2019 as the sixth branch of the US military.
“Space is the world's latest combat realm,” Trump said at the time, adding, “American superiority in space is absolutely essential.”
