Mon Dec 22 07:09:26 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewrite as a news article:

Summary:

Intelligence services from two NATO nations suspect Russia is developing a “zone-effect” anti-satellite weapon designed to disable Elon Musk’s Starlink constellation by flooding its orbit with small, untrackable pellets. The goal is allegedly to limit Western space superiority that benefits Ukraine. While some analysts doubt the practicality and potential for indiscriminate damage (including to Russia’s own space assets), others acknowledge the threat given previous allegations of Russia pursuing space-based nuclear weapons. The US Space Force and French Space Command have been contacted for comment. Russia has previously advocated for the prevention of weapon deployments in orbit. Experts suggest that such a weapon might be intended more as a deterrent or to provoke an international response. The impact could damage other satellites and create debris that eventually falls towards Earth.

News Article:

Russia Suspected of Developing “Zone-Effect” Anti-Satellite Weapon Targeting Starlink

Paris – December 23, 2025 – Two NATO-nation intelligence services suspect Russia is actively developing a novel anti-satellite weapon designed to cripple Elon Musk’s Starlink constellation, according to a report seen by The Associated Press. The alleged “zone-effect” weapon would deploy hundreds of thousands of small, high-density pellets into Starlink’s orbit, potentially disabling multiple satellites simultaneously.

Intelligence reports suggest the aim of the weapon is to curtail Western space superiority, which has proven instrumental in supporting Ukraine during its ongoing conflict with Russia. Starlink’s high-speed internet service has been critical for Ukrainian military communications and targeting.

However, the potential impact of such a weapon is sparking concern among space security experts. Victoria Samson, a space-security specialist at the Secure World Foundation, expressed skepticism, stating that the weapon’s indiscriminate nature could lead to uncontrollable chaos in space, endangering satellites crucial for Russia, China, and other nations.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Horner, commander of the Canadian military’s Space Division, acknowledged that while he hadn’t been briefed on the specific system, the development aligns with previous allegations that Russia has been pursuing space-based nuclear weapons.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not respond to requests for comment. However, Russia has previously called for a ban on deploying weapons in space. The US Space Force declined to comment. The French military’s Space Command issued a statement emphasizing Russia’s “irresponsible, dangerous, and even hostile actions in space” in recent years.

The alleged pellets, millimeters in size, would be difficult to track, potentially making it hard to attribute an attack to Russia. Clayton Swope, from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, emphasized that the particles will probably damage the solar panel.

Analysts note that such a weapon might be intended as a deterrent or to pressure the international community into action. The indiscriminate nature of the weapon means that other satellites and space assets will probably be damaged.

The intelligence findings do not specify when Russia could deploy the system. One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that details on the timing were considered too sensitive to share.

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