Speculation about Russian space nuclear weapons worries Washington

Security
US secret services: Speculation about a threat from a new weapon from Russia

Speculation about a possible threat to national security in the USA has been sparked in the US capital Washington. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner released a statement Wednesday saying his committee had “provided information about a serious threat to national security” to all members of Congress.

Is Russia developing an anti-satellite nuclear weapon for space?

He continued to write that he is calling on US President Joe Biden to release all information on this threat so that Congress, the administration and allies can openly discuss the measures needed in response. The Republican did not specify what kind of threat it was, thereby giving rise to all sorts of speculation.

The New York Times (NYT) reported on Wednesday evening (CET), citing officials familiar with the matter, that it was about new nuclear capabilities that Russia was developing. They are said to be related to Russia’s attempts to work on a space-based nuclear weapon that could be used against satellites. However, according to the NYT’s sources, the weapon is neither in space nor does it currently pose a threat to the United States, Ukraine or other allies. The US government or secret services initially did not comment officially on the report.

When asked at a press conference in the White House, Biden’s security advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed that he had scheduled a briefing of the so-called “Gang of Eight” for Thursday. The “Gang of Eight” includes high-ranking members of Congress from both parties who can be briefed by the president on intelligence activities and covert operations. Sullivan said he was somewhat surprised that Turner spoke publicly about the issue before the meeting. He did not respond to several questions about what type of threat it was.

wue / with DPA material