Gen. James Dickinson, leader of U.S. Space Command, said Russia is working on space systems despite claims of trying to prevent a space war. He said these direct-ascent anti-satellite systems threaten space assets belonging to the U.S. and allied forces, Washington Headquarters Services said Wednesday.
“Russia has made space a warfighting domain by testing space-based and ground-based weapons intended to target and destroy satellites," the general stated.
The systems Dickinson pertains to are a space-based weapon, which can strike satellites in orbit, and a DA-ASAT system designed to hit low Earth orbit targets.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also unveiled efforts to make a ground-based laser for his country's space force. Dickinson said these developments collectively do not align with Russia's claim to avoid warfighting in space.
