US Accuses Russia of Dangerous Satellite Manoeuvres
The United States on Wednesday accused Russia of engaging in threatening actions in space, asserting that Moscow’s COSMOS 2612 military satellite had deliberately manoeuvred in close proximity to what it referred to as one of its “commercial satellites.” In a post on X, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Thomas G DiNanno said, “As just announced in the @UN First Committee, Russia’s COSMOS 2612 military satellite has been exhibiting threatening behavior by intentionally maneuvering dangerously close to a commercial satellite, behaviors consistent with on-orbit weapons operations.”
According to a report, the Russian satellite Cosmos 2612 approached within 100 feet of a US-Finnish radar satellite that is essential for providing critical intelligence to Ukraine. Trump administration’s official said this violates “long-established safety thresholds in low Earth orbit.” He added “The United States will continue to secure and defend American vital national security interests in, from, and to space.” Tracking firms confirmed that the close-proximity loitering was highly unusual, raising concerns from US Space Command regarding potential anti-satellite weapons and threats to Western security assets. Meanwhile, the US Air Force has recently confirmed the existence of America’s own defensive space control weapons currently operating in orbit, as reported by sources.
The development arises as United States special envoy Steve Witkoff is involved in high-stakes discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in St. Petersburg. The objective of the meeting was to promote proposals aimed at concluding the conflict in Ukraine and to create a framework for more extensive negotiations. As reported, the diplomatic outreach followed Witkoff’s Tuesday summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Norway, after which video footage showed the US envoy affirming that reviewing the outcomes of that “productive” Oslo summit was central to the agenda.
