US media reports: Russia is apparently working on nuclear weapons for space

Enlarge image

Russia will launch a Type 2.1b Soyuz launch vehicle into space in August 2023: Is Moscow working on new nuclear capabilities?

Photo:

IMAGO/Sergei Savostyanov / IMAGO/ITAR-TASS

The excitement in Washington began this Wednesday (local time) with a statement from Mike Turner: The Republican and chairman of the Intelligence Committee in the House of Representatives published a statement - in which he said that his committee had provided all members of Congress with "information about a serious threat to the national Security provided."

He further wrote that he is calling on US President Joe Biden to release all information on this threat so that Congress, the government and allies can openly discuss countermeasures. Turner did not specify what kind of threat it was, and the cryptic message gave rise to all sorts of speculation.

A short time later, reports from several US media outlets followed, including the New York Times and the ABC and Fox News channels. It unanimously states that it is about new findings about Russian nuclear capabilities that are directed against satellites in space and could therefore pose a threat to national and international security.

Apparently no acute danger yet

Citing a U.S. government official and a former U.S. government official, The New York Times reported that the new intelligence was related to Russia's attempts to develop a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon.

According to the report, the US government informed Congress and allies in Europe about Russia's plans. Because Russia's new nuclear systems are still being developed, there is no acute danger. Fox News reported that using nuclear systems against satellites could potentially eliminate US military communications and intelligence. There was initially no official confirmation of the reports.

Biden's security advisor Jake Sullivan only confirmed when asked at a press conference in the White House - after the publication of Turner's statement and before the publication of the media reports - 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 secret service 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.

The chairman of the House of Representatives makes a reassuring statement

Several House Democrats, who are privy to this type of intelligence, sought to calm the public furore following Turner's statement. They emphasized - without going into detail about the content - that this was a serious matter, but by no means an acute crisis. Mike Johnson, the Republican leader of the House of Representatives, also expressed reassurance: "I want to assure the American people that there is no cause for public alarm," he said, according to a report in the Washington Post. They will work together "to clarify this matter, just as we do with all sensitive matters that are classified as secret," he told reporters.

"There is no reason for public alarm." Other parliamentarians sharply criticized Turner's unusual statement and questioned his suitability as head of the Intelligence Committee.