OREANDA-NEWS. Russia is testing direct-intercept anti-satellite missiles. This was reported on the website of the US Air Force Space Command. As stated in the statement, weapons can destroy satellites that are in low Earth orbit (altitude above the planet’s surface is 160-2000 km).

The space command notes that the rocket test followed after the maneuvers of Russian satellites, designated as Cosmos-2542 and Cosmos-2543, which the US reported in February. Then the American side claimed that they were dangerously close to the USA-245 satellite, which is also known as KH-11 and is part of the Keyhole / Chrystal reconnaissance group, whose satellites can observe the entire surface of the Earth.

“Russia's test of DA-ASAT (direct-ascent anti-satellite weapon) is another example of the fact that threats to US space systems and their allies are real, serious and increasing”, said John Raymond, head of the Air Force Space Command .