Putin ‘launches space weapon’ while his forces carry out nuke drill near Ukraine

Russia launched a weapon into space which may be capable of attacking others, the US has said.

The Kremlin sent the satellite – called Cosmos 2576 – into low Earth orbit which the Pentagon has said is likely capable of launching attacks against their own.

Brigadier General Pat Ryder said it is the same orbit as the US government satellite USA 314, adding the country is ‘on stand-by’ to protect its interests.

Russia had previously warned any satellite seen as aiding Ukraine will become ‘legitimate targets’, and claimed the US wants to turn space into an ‘arena for military confrontation’.

Putin’s army have began tactical nuclear weapon drills close to the border with Ukraine to ‘warn the West’ not to help Ukraine anymore.

Footage shows trucks carrying missiles to a launch site and troops preparing a bomber to carry a nuclear warhead.

Russian officials said this was just the first stage of drills involving driving to launch sites and loading planes with hypersonic Kinzhal missiles.

It comes as Defence Secretary Grant Shapps revealed lethal weapons are being flown from China to Russia and into Ukraine.

Speaking at the London Defence Conference, Mr Shapps said: ‘US and British defence intelligence can reveal that lethal aid is now flying from China to Russia and into Ukraine.

The Kremlin sent the satellite – called Cosmos 2576 – into low Earth orbit(Picture: TV Zvezda/e2w)

Russian troops upload a non-strategic nuclear missile for Iskander operational-tactical missile system
(Picture: EPA)

‘I think it is a significant development and we should be concerned about that because in the earlier days of Putin’s war, China would like to present itself as acting as a moderating influence on Putin.

‘That recent visit we saw, the I think 64% increase in trade that we’ve seen between the two countries, reveals that there is actually a much deeper relationship there.

‘And this is new intelligence which leads me to be able to declassify and reveal this fact today. I think it’s quite significant.’

Mr Shapps renewed calls for an increase in Nato spending, saying the UK will ‘lead by example and do everything that we can to ensure our wake-up call is heard loud and clear’.

Tactical nuclear warheads are deigned for battlefield use rather than attacking cities.

Servicemen prepare Russian MiG-31 operational combat aircraft (Picture: EPA)

They are also not subject to any arm controls – and Russia has not revealed how many they have.

Putin continues to threaten Nato countries with nuclear war if they deploy troops to Ukraine.

An ex-general has warned Russian missiles will be able to reach Britain in less than two hours.

General Sir Richard Barrons warned Russia’s 600mph weapons could reach the UK in just 90 minutes – and the UK won’t be able stop Putin’s arsenal.

A non-strategic nuclear missile for Iskander operational-tactical missile system (Picture: EPA)

Russian air force crew work to prepare a Tu-22M3 bomber for a training mission (Picture: AP)

The senior commander told The Sun: ‘The UK does not have the air and missile defence that Ukraine has, for now. We’ve not needed it.

‘The sort of missiles that fall on Kyiv could fall on London. And Kyiv’s air defences are way, way better.

‘Even a quite elderly Russian cruise missile, I’m going to cite Kh-101 released from an aircraft over western Russia, arrives in London 90 minutes later with a 500 kilogram explosive warhead and an accuracy of two meters.

‘So pick your door in Downing Street.’

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