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NATO Chief Warns Russia May Consider Deploying Nuclear Weapons in Space
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![Ivan_khomenko]( "Ivan Khomenko")
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Ivan Khomenko")
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has raised concerns that Russia may be exploring the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons in space, a move that would violate international agreements and pose serious risks to global security.
In an interview with Welt am Sonntag on April 12, Rutte confirmed that NATO is aware of reports suggesting Moscow is considering such actions. He emphasized that using nuclear weapons against satellites could disrupt global communication systems and satellite-based monitoring on Earth.
According to Rutte, this capability would represent a significant threat, as damaging satellites in orbit could create chaos on the ground. “Much of what we use on Earth can only be operated with the help of satellites,” he noted.
The NATO chief stressed that placing nuclear weapons in space would breach the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which was initiated by the United States and the Soviet Union. The treaty, which remains a cornerstone of international space law, prohibits the deployment of weapons of mass destruction in orbit and seeks to ensure the peaceful use of outer space.
Rutte added that Russia’s capabilities in space are outdated compared to Western standards, and that developing nuclear space weapons might be seen by Moscow as a means of closing the gap. He described the situation as a source of serious concern for the Alliance.
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The NATO Secretary General also underlined that the Alliance is actively adapting to emerging threats in space. Member states are sharing intelligence, establishing national space commands, and investing in smaller, more agile, and better-protected satellites to enhance NATO’s defense posture.
“Space has become increasingly crowded, dangerous, and unpredictable in recent years,” Rutte said. He highlighted growing competition in both commercial and military aspects of space, warning that it now directly affects overall global security.
As part of NATO's broader space strategy, Rutte announced increased satellite surveillance of the Arctic. He noted that both Russia and China are increasingly active in the region, using new maritime routes and expanding their military presence.
According to Rutte, enhanced satellite monitoring will help NATO track movements on land and sea and ensure secure communication for its forces.
In 2021, NATO reaffirmed that Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty—its collective defense clause—also applies to attacks in or from space.
Earlier, a US intelligence report warned that Russia is developing a satellite capable of carrying a nuclear weapon, which could pose a serious threat to global security. The assessment, cited by Sky News, also noted that the war in Ukraine has provided Moscow with valuable insights into Western military systems.
