A Department of Defense official says Russia's space weapon would involve using a nuclear weapon to knock out satellites across Earth's orbit.

Pentagon’s space-policy leader noted with concern Moscow’s recent veto of a UN resolution against putting nuclear weapons in space.

An American official said the United States had information undermining Russia’s claim that a device it is developing is for peaceful scientific research.

Defence officials have warned that Russia's anti-satellite nuclear weapons 'could pose a threat to all satellites operated by countries and companies around the globe.'

Plumb described the weapon as an “indiscriminate” anti-satellite device that, if detonated in space, could damage or destroy unshielded satellites in low-Earth orbit, a densely populated region critical for numerous services.

The United States is concerned about Moscow's veto of the UN resolution against the launch of nuclear weapons into space, according to Defense One. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Plumb noted with concern Moscow's recent veto of a UN resolution against the launch of nuclear weapons into space.