The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed on Tuesday it has tested a missile in space to remove a defunct satellite, which was done successfully.
The ministry said the satellite was of the Tselina-D type and in orbit since 1982. It stressed the United States knows "for certain" the fragments of the destroyed spacecraft "did not and will not pose any threat to orbital stations, satellites and space activity." The ministry went on to accuse Washington of trying to "create an all-out military advantage in outer space."
Earlier this week, the US accused Russia of testing a direct-ascent anti-satellite missile near the International Space Station (ISS) and thus endangering it. Moscow dismissed the claims as hypocritical and unfounded.
