WSJ: Russia Launched Satellite with Components of Nuclear Anti-Satellite Weapon Ahead of War

In a troubling revelation reported by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Russia launched the satellite “Cosmos-2553” into space a few weeks prior to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The satellite is said to be carrying components of an anti-satellite nuclear weapon system.

According to sources cited by the publication, in February 2022, just weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russia launched the research satellite “Cosmos-2553” into space.

This satellite, according to American officials, is intended for testing components of a potential anti-satellite weapon system, which could potentially carry a nuclear device.

While “Cosmos-2553” is reported not to carry nuclear weapons, American officials assert that it contains non-nuclear components of a new Russian arms system.

In the event of its deployment, this weapon would afford Moscow the capability to destroy hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit “in that part of space dominated by U.S. government and SpaceX company satellites” through a nuclear explosion.

One interlocutor of the publication referred to the satellite as a “prototype” of the weapon, while others suggest that the Russian program has not progressed that far. “Cosmos-2553” continues to orbit the Earth on an “unusual orbit”.

In recent months, concerns about Russia’s nuclear anti-satellite program have grown within the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden and Congress.

The launch of this satellite was reported by the Russian Ministry of Defence and “Roscosmos”, but little was said about its purpose in the releases – only that it is equipped with systems for testing “under conditions of radiation exposure and heavy charged particles”.

Sources speaking to the publication consider the Russian side’s claims about the purpose of the satellite launch to be unlikely and assert that it was launched as part of Russia’s nuclear anti-satellite program.

Click here for more News & Current Affairs at EU Today

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________