Russia is considering deploying nuclear weapons in space to target telecommunications satellites, according to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Sunday edition of the German newspaper Die Welt.
Rutte expressed deep concern about the development of these anti-satellite weapons. The destruction of satellites would cause chaos on Earth, as many systems rely on them for their operation, affecting both commercial activities and defence, thus compromising security overall.
The Dutch official also warned that such actions could violate the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits the militarisation of the Moon and other celestial bodies, as well as the placement of nuclear weapons in orbit. This treaty has been ratified by most countries, including Russia and the United States.
Furthermore, NATO adheres to the principle that an attack against one or more of its members is considered an attack against all. According to Die Welt, the Alliance decided in 2021 that this principle of collective defence, enshrined in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, also applies to attacks from and in space.
