On July 15, "Russia injected a new object into orbit from Cosmos 2543", it said.

This is a Russian satellite which was earlier this year located looming close to an American satellite.

Space Command said that "Russia released this object in proximity to another Russian satellite".

Its threatening action was "similar to on-orbit activity conducted by Russia in 2017, and inconsistent with the system's stated mission as an inspector satellite".

"The Russian satellite system used to conduct this on-orbit weapons test is the same satellite system that we raised concerns about earlier this year, when Russia manoeuvred near a US government satellite," said Gen. John "Jay" Raymond, Commander and US Space Force Chief of Space Operations.

He added: "This is further evidence of Russia's continuing efforts to develop and test space-based systems.

"And [it's] consistent with the Kremlin's published military doctrine to employ weapons that hold US and Allied space assets at risk."

The US State Department raised concerns in 2018, and again this year, that Russian satellite behaviours were inconsistent with their stated mission.

It also warned that these satellites showed signs of a space-based weapon.

According to the department, Russia's space conduct is "concerning".

Dr Christopher Ford, the US Assistant Secretary of State, said it highlighted "Russia's hypocritical advocacy of outer space arms control".

He accused Moscow of "aiming to restrict the capabilities of the US while clearly having no intention of halting its own counterspace programme - both ground-based anti-satellite capabilities and what would appear to be actual in-orbit anti-satellite weaponry."

Space Command said: "Last week's test is another example that the threats to US and Allied space systems are real, serious and increasing."

Gen. Raymond said the US and its Allies were "ready and committed to deterring aggression and defending the nation, our Allies and vital US interests from hostile acts in space."

Space Command is America's combatant hub for space matters.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/12206486/russia-secretly-tested-anti-satellite-weapon-space-us-command/