{
  "id": 7786999,
  "title": "Russia says there is still time to stop an arms race in space after US orbital weapons admission",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/russia-says-there-is-still-time-to-stop-an-arms-race-in-space-after",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T12:44:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/russia-us-space-arms-race-weapons-6389176"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MOSCOW: Russia maintains there is still time to prevent an arms race in space by establishing a legally binding international treaty to ban offensive weapons deployment, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Ryabkov made these remarks after the US acknowledged the Pentagon operates weapons in Earth's orbit, marking a significant step in the militarization of space. US Space Force Chief Douglas Schiess confirmed that enlisted personnel from his branch \"operate on-orbit weapons that can defend the Joint Force against space-enabled attacks.\" However, Ryabkov noted that the US had not informed Russia, a leading space power, about its new weapons capability. Ryabkov emphasized that Russia is vigilant about monitoring all such developments and drawing appropriate conclusions. He reiterated Moscow's long-standing calls for a treaty prohibiting the use or threat of force in space or against objects in space. Ryabkov criticized the US and other Western nations for using \"inflammatory excuses\" to avoid adopting this stance, accusing them of creating pretexts to avoid doing so while accusing Moscow of destabilizing activities.",
  "summary": "The US acknowledged this week that the Pentagon is operating weapons in Earth's orbit, a landmark moment in the militarisation of space.",
  "key_points": [
    "Russia urges for a treaty to ban offensive space weapons",
    "US admits operating on-orbit weapons, marking space militarization",
    "Russia criticizes US and Western nations for avoiding treaty"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}