NATO fears that in the future, Russia may be able to wage wars in space and even use nuclear weapons against satellites. “We are aware of reports that Russia is considering the deployment of nuclear weapons in space,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in an interview with the weekly Welt am Sonntag.

Rutte noted that Moscow's current capabilities in space are outdated and do not match the level of the West. “That is precisely why the development of nuclear weapons in space is a way for Russia to strengthen its potential. This is a cause for serious concern and would represent a violation of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty,” the NATO chief said.

Mark Rutte stated that NATO countries are preparing for new challenges in space—sharing intelligence, creating national space commands, and developing more compact, maneuverable, and protected satellites. Space is of great importance for NATO’s deterrence and defense, he noted.

“In recent years, outer space has become more crowded, dangerous, and unpredictable. We know that competition in space is growing increasingly intense—not only commercially. It affects all of our security,” the head of the North Atlantic Alliance emphasized.

Rutte also announced for the first time the expansion of satellite surveillance over the Arctic. “We see that China and Russia are increasingly using new maritime routes and militarizing parts of the Arctic. Satellites can help us track movements on land and at sea, as well as ensure reliable and secure communications for our forces,” he said.