Russia has vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution sponsored by Japan and the United States that aims to prevent a nuclear arms race in space.

The draft resolution calls for full compliance with the Outer Space Treaty, which promotes the peaceful use of space.

It also seeks a ban on the development of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction for deployment in Earth orbit.

In Wednesday's vote, 13 of the Security Council's 15 members supported the draft resolution, but China abstained and Russia exercised its veto.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said after the vote: "This is not the first time Russia has undermined the global nonproliferation regime. Over the past few years, Russia has irresponsibly invoked dangerous nuclear rhetoric and walked away from several of its arms control obligations."

Japan's UN Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki said it is hard to understand why the Council cannot be united on such a simple but significant commitment.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the matter should be discussed by all UN members and not just the Security Council.

He described the draft resolution as political propaganda, saying that "the only purpose for Washington to have introduced this draft was to vilify Russia."

The rift among permanent members of the Security Council over Ukraine and the Middle East has led to one veto after another.

Last week, the US vetoed a Security Council draft resolution recommending full UN membership for Palestine.