"Earlier today, the Russian Federation recklessly conducted a destructive satellite test of a direct ascent anti-satellite missile against one of its own satellites," US state department spokesman Ned Price said at a briefing.
"The test has so far generated over 1,500 pieces of trackable orbital debris and hundreds of thousands of pieces of smaller orbital debris that now threaten the interests of all nations."
Russia's actions pose a threat to long-term sustainability of outer space. The State Department spokesman also accused Moscow of insincerity in its stance about the deployment of weapons in space. He said the United States will work with its partners and allies to prepare a response to such actions.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby stated that the department was concerned about the tests of anti-satellite weapons conducted by Russia. Moscow did not inform Washington about them, he added. Kirby set out a hope that space powers of the world would respect international rules for the use of outer space.
"We share the concern that our State Department colleagues stressed earlier today about this test," Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said during a news briefing today at the Pentagon.
Kirby added that "the most immediate concern is the debris itself, which is now floating out there and could become a hazard including to the International Space Station."
Earlier, Mission Control reported that the ISS could come close to space debris. Instructions stipulate the crew remains on board the ship as the station approaches a potentially dangerous object.
During the talks of the ISS crew with the Earth, it was noted that space debris flew past the ISS, cosmonauts and astronauts were able to return to their work, but it was said that the debris may pose a threat to the station again in about 90 minutes.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said that Russia neglected the safety of outer space as the tests of its anti-satellite weapons thereby created a threat to satellites and spacecraft.
"The destructive anti-satellite missile test by Russia shows a complete disregard for the security, safety and sustainability of space. The debris resulting from this test will remain in orbit, putting satellites and human spaceflight at risk for years to come," Ben Wallace, the UK Secretary of Defense said on Twitter.
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