On November 15, 2021 when Russia fired a hypersonic missile at its defunct COSMOS-1408 satellite in orbit just above the International Space Station, the impact created a field of at least 1500 pieces of identifiable debris, endangering its own cosmonauts aboard the station, as well as vital communication, weather and earth observation satellites. Now critics are calling for the United Nations to mandate norms of behaviour to prevent further intentional disregard for safety, security and sustainability in space.
Further Reading
Russian ASAT Test Creates Massive Debris
The Dangerous Fallout of Russia’s Anti-Satellite Missile Test
NASA Administrator Statement on Russian ASAT Test
Stuff In Orbit