Washington, D.C.: US intelligence sources have revealed that Russia is contemplating deploying nuclear weapons in space, raising significant concerns among policymakers. This revelation follows a public warning from House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner about an undisclosed national security threat.
In a statement, Turner urged President Biden to declassify information regarding the threat, emphasizing the need for open discussions on response strategies. While the potential threat remains inactive, US officials are taking it seriously, though they stress there’s no immediate cause for public alarm.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has scheduled a meeting with the US House contingent of the “Gang of Eight” congressional leaders, a group briefed on classified intelligence matters. Notably, the meeting was arranged before Turner’s statement.
The media previously covered intelligence reports on Russia’s efforts to develop space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapons. However, officials clarify that these weapons haven’t been deployed yet.
Turner’s decision to disclose the matter publicly, albeit without full details, has raised concerns in Washington, especially amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza. Sullivan declined to elaborate on the meeting’s agenda or Turner’s characterization of the national security issue.
The creation of the US Space Force in 2019 underscores the escalating threats in space, particularly from China and Russia. Both countries possess advanced capabilities that can disrupt vital US satellite communications.
China and Russia have actively pursued methods to interfere with satellites, including signal jamming and physical manipulation. The Space Force aims to counter these threats, as highlighted in the Pentagon’s 2020 Defence Space Strategy.
