Russia warns that the US Golden Dome system threatens space security.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has issued a serious warning about the US "Golden Dome" program, asserting that the initiative risks turning outer space into a new zone of military conflict. This multi-layered missile defense system is believed to fundamentally alter the current structure of nuclear security.

The US's next-generation missile defense initiative.

First announced in January 2025 by President Donald Trump, Golden Dome is a complex defense network designed to counter ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, and cruise missiles. The core difference of this system is the use of space-based interceptor missiles to destroy targets during their acceleration phase, just minutes after the enemy fires.

According to White House figures, the project is expected to cost around $175 billion. However, independent experts estimate the actual figure could range from $500 billion to $3.6 trillion over the next two decades due to the complexity of space-based interceptor technology and the requirements for maintaining orbit.

Risks of militarization and a reaction from Russia.

Speaking at the Moscow Conference on Nuclear Non-Proliferation on March 16, Lavrov emphasized that Washington's actions are promoting the militarization of space. He argued that the Golden Dome, scheduled to become operational in 2028, poses a direct threat to global strategic stability.

Russia and China have previously expressed concerns that this system would allow the U.S. to neutralize the retaliatory capabilities of its adversaries. This could undermine the principle of "mutual destruction" (MAD) – a cornerstone of peacekeeping between nuclear powers since the Cold War.

Technical barriers and lessons from history

Despite its ambitious goals, Golden Dome faced considerable technical skepticism. The system required significant advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and sensor technology to detect and destroy targets within an extremely short timeframe.

Many military analysts have compared Golden Dome to President Ronald Reagan's 1983 Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), often known as "Star Wars." The SDI project was canceled after a decade and $50 billion without deploying any orbital weapons due to insurmountable technological challenges at the time.

Strategies for responding to and addressing geopolitical impacts.

Tom Karako, an expert from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), believes that if Russia and China feel that the US shield is ineffective against their nuclear arsenals, they will seek other countermeasures. These options do not necessarily have to be nuclear; they could focus on direct satellite attacks, cyber warfare, or electronic warfare to circumvent the Golden Dome's capabilities.

Russia claims it has deployed missile systems capable of penetrating any current or future defense system. Moscow's development of new weapons will proceed in parallel to ensure the maintenance of military balance, even when the US defense system becomes fully operational.