Russia’s explosive plan to deploy nuclear weapons in space raises US concerns

The US said Russian weapons could destroy civilian communications.

The United States has said that Russia wants to place nuclear weapons in space, and described the move as a “serious national security threat”. According to New York Times (NYT), it was part of the intelligence that US officials declassified to Congress and its European allies. The outlet quoted intelligence officials as saying that a space-based nuclear weapon could be used to threaten America’s extensive satellite network. Officials also said that at present America does not have the capability to counter any such weapon.

This Russian weapon could destroy civilian communications and surveillance from space NYT The report said officials are questioning whether Moscow is abandoning the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which bans all orbital nuclear weapons.

Although Russia appears no closer to deploying weapons, US intelligence officials want President Joe Biden to make public the full intelligence report on the military operation.

Republican Representative and Speaker of the House Michael R. Turner of Ohio said, “I am requesting that President Biden make public all information related to this threat so that Congress, the Administration and our allies can openly discuss the actions necessary to respond to this threat.” ” House Intelligence Committee.

The committee led by Mr Turner also voted on Monday to make the briefing available to all members of Congress. However, it is not clear what the intelligence is.

Wire White House sources were quoted as saying Mr Biden has been monitoring the threat for some weeks, describing it as “serious” but not “urgent”. Therefore, Mr. Turner’s decision to share part of the information with others in Congress stunned Washington.

“We have a briefing scheduled tomorrow for House members of the Gang of Eight. It’s on the books. So I’m a little surprised that Congressman Turner came out publicly today before a meeting on the books to sit down with me. Tomorrow with our intelligence and defense professionals,” US national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Wednesday.

Mr Sullivan emphasized that the Biden administration “has gone further and dealt with the declassification of intelligence in the national interest of the United States in more creative, more strategic ways than any administration in history”.