Launching a rocket from Florida to place an American satellite in space (Reuters - Archive)

American press reports contained details about space-based nuclear capabilities that Washington claims Russia is seeking to develop to destroy satellites, which Moscow described as a “sly slander” and a “trick by the White House” to persuade members of Congress to allocate more funds to confront it.

CNN quoted three sources familiar with US intelligence reports that Russia is trying to produce a nuclear space weapon that would destroy satellites by generating a massive wave of energy that could paralyze a large number of commercial and government satellites that are used for various purposes, including mobile phone services. To pay bills and surf the Internet.

An American official told the network that the idea of ​​this weapon is not new, but dates back to the late Cold War, but he pointed out that the great fear of such technology is that it may render large parts of satellite orbits unusable because of the “minefield” of disabled satellites it would leave behind. .

CNN also reported that this weapon would be a last resort for Russia, because it would cause the same damage to Russian satellites.

On the other hand, the New York Times said that US intelligence agencies are divided over the extent to which Russian President Vladimir Putin might go regarding space nuclear weapons.

The newspaper indicated that US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken spoke with his Chinese and Indian counterparts on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference about the possibility of Russian nuclear movement in space.

Even if Russia sends a nuclear weapon into space, American officials agree that the weapon will not be used, but will remain like a time bomb in low orbit, as a reminder from Putin that if he is subjected to pressure sanctions or military resistance to his ambitions in Ukraine or elsewhere, it may destroy... The economies of countries without targeting humans on the ground, according to the New York Times.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby claimed during a press conference last Thursday that Russia is working to produce anti-satellite capabilities in space, but he said it has not sent them yet.

Kirby added that US President Joe Biden requested direct diplomatic communication with Moscow on this issue.

The United States is also holding talks with its allies and partners in this regard, according to what Secretary of State Blinken said on Thursday.

The New York Times said that Blinken (left) spoke with his Chinese counterpart about the alleged space weapon (French)

Other details coming soon

“This is not an active capability, but it is a latent capability that we take very seriously,” Blinken said. “I expect we will have more to say soon, very soon in fact, so stay tuned for that.”

Reuters quoted analysts as saying that it is likely a nuclear-powered device to block, jam, or burn electronic devices inside satellites, rather than using explosive nuclear warheads to bring them down.

The United States does not have the ability to confront such a weapon, according to what the agency quoted experts.

The issue was raised publicly after the Chairman of the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, Mike Turner, issued an extraordinary statement in which he warned of a “dangerous threat” to US national security, calling on President Biden to lift its confidentiality.

As a result, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, on Thursday, briefed congressional leaders on information about the alleged weapon.

On the other hand, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that he would not comment on the content of the American reports until the White House revealed the details.

TASS quoted Peskov as saying, “It is clear that the White House is trying, by any means, to encourage Congress to vote on a bill to allocate funds (to confront Russia), and this is clear... We will see what tricks the White House will use.”

According to the same agency, Sergei Ryabkov, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister responsible for arms control, accused the United States of “sly slander.”

Source: American press + agencies