Moscow: Military Confrontation in Space May Be As Dangerous as Nuclear Arms Race

According to a statement published by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday, Moscow prioritized peaceful exploration and use of outer space.

Commenting on the US draft defense budget, the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that a military confrontation in space may be as dangerous as the nuclear arms race.

"A military confrontation in space may be as dangerous as a nuclear arms race set off by Washington in the middle of the last century," the statement reads.

At the same time, the ministry expressed hope that the US would abandon steps that could threaten the global security.

"Russia hopes that Washington will eventually abandon steps, which have the most negative impact on the international security…," the ministry said in a statement.

"We urge the United States to be prudent and not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Military confrontation in space can be as dangerous as the nuclear arms race launched by Washington in the middle of the last century," the statement said.

On Thursday, the US House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019, which stipulates the development of "persistent space-based sensor architecture" by the end of 2022. The Senate is expected to pass the bill next week.