US Space Command: Russia is now operationalizing co-orbital ASAT weapons

U.S. Space Command says Russia has likely moved from testing to deploying co-orbital anti-satellite weapons.

Gen. Stephen Whiting cited launch timing, on-orbit behavior, and prior subsatellite tests as evidence of operationalization.

The Russian Nivelir program and satellites like Kosmos 2558 may be able to shadow U.S. intelligence satellites in low-Earth orbit.

If confirmed, these systems could give Russia a real capability to approach or threaten critical U.S. reconnaissance assets, raising space-conflict risks.