The vote came after Washington accused Moscow of developing a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon, an allegation that Russia has denied. Speaking ahead of the vote by the 15-member council, U.S. administration officials declined to share details of intelligence they had to back the allegation.

Russia has vetoed a U.N. resolution sponsored by the United States and Japan calling on all nations to prevent a dangerous nuclear arms race in outer space.

Russia vetoes a US-Japan resolution calling for the peaceful use of outer space to prevent a dangerous nuclear arms race

The United States and Russia are set to face off over nuclear weapons in space on Wednesday at the United Nations Security Council, which is due to vote on a U.S.-drafted resolution calling on countries to prevent an arms race in outer space.

Russia on Wednesday vetoed a draft resolution before the United Nations Security Council that would have called on countries to prevent a nuclear arms race in outer space. Why it matters: Russia's veto comes after U.