Russia has raised concerns over former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent push for a space-based missile defense system, warning that it could escalate military tensions beyond Earth.
In an executive order, Trump proposed an advanced missile shield for the U.S., drawing comparisons to the Reagan-era “Star Wars” initiative, which aimed to deploy interceptors in space.
Reacting to the move, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized the plan, saying it signals Washington’s intent to turn space into a battlefield. She argued that the initiative is designed to undermine Russia and China’s defense strategies, further straining global security.
Zakharova cautioned that such actions would only heighten tensions, rather than promote stability. She likened the scope of Trump’s proposal to Reagan’s controversial defense strategy, dismissing it as an aggressive expansion of U.S. military influence.
Trump’s reference to an “Iron Dome for America” alludes to Israel’s highly effective missile defense system, but experts note that the threats facing the U.S. differ significantly from those countered by Israel’s defense technology.
Meanwhile, Russia has unveiled its own advancements in missile technology, including a hypersonic weapon known as “Oreshnik,” which reportedly travels at speeds ten times faster than sound. The U.S. has also acknowledged China’s rapid progress in missile development, highlighting the growing competition in advanced defense systems.
In recent years, both Moscow and Washington have accused each other of militarizing space, with the U.S. previously claiming that Russia deployed a potential “space weapon” near an American satellite.