Russia has strongly condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to develop a space-based missile shield, warning that it could escalate tensions and turn space into a battlefield.
Trump’s executive order, issued on January 27, calls for the creation of an “Iron Dome for America” to counter ballistic and hypersonic missile threats. The initiative revives aspects of the Reagan-era “Star Wars” program, which proposed deploying missile interceptors in space.
During a press briefing, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized the plan, stating, “We regard this as yet another confirmation of the US intent to turn space into an arena of armed confrontation.” She compared Trump’s proposal to the original “Star Wars” program, calling it “odious” and accusing the U.S. of seeking to undermine the strategic deterrence of Russia and China.
The reference to an “Iron Dome” draws parallels to Israel’s missile defense system, which intercepts short-range rockets. However, analysts note that the U.S. faces more complex and advanced threats.
Russia has been ramping up its own missile capabilities, with President Vladimir Putin unveiling the hypersonic missile “Oreshnik” last year, capable of speeds ten times the speed of sound. Meanwhile, the U.S. has flagged China’s rapid advancements in missile technology in its 2022 National Defense Strategy.
The militarization of space remains a growing concern, with Washington and Moscow trading accusations of deploying space-based weaponry. In May last year, the U.S. accused Russia of launching a “space weapon” into the same orbit as a U.S. satellite, further fueling tensions in the new era of strategic rivalry.