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

US Space Command warns that Russia is now actively operationalizing co-orbital anti-satellite weapons, marking the first militarization of space since the Cold War. This deployment, involving multiple launch events monitored in April 2026, represents a 60% increase in Russian ASAT testing frequency compared to 2025. Unlike generic orbital threats, these weapons can shadow and disable US satellites within minutes, a capability that outpaces #10's data privacy concerns in terms of immediate global security risk. The command's report highlights a specific incident where a Russian satellite maneuvered to within 10 kilometers of a US spy satellite, a proximity that is 50% closer than typical safe orbital distances.