White House confirmed reports on Russia’s development of an anti-satellite weapon

The White House confirmed on Thursday that Russia is in the process of developing a space-based anti-satellite weapon, a development that has raised concerns in the United States. However, officials emphasized that there is currently no immediate danger to people on Earth from this capability.

This announcement followed a day of speculation triggered by US lawmakers issuing a vague warning about a significant national security threat. Moscow swiftly dismissed these claims as baseless, alleging that they were fabricated to push through a stalled Ukrainian war aid package in Congress.

John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, confirmed the existence of Russia’s anti-satellite capability during a briefing at the White House. He clarified that while the development is concerning, the weapon has not been deployed, and there is no imminent threat to safety.

Kirby refrained from providing details about the nature of the Russian weapon but acknowledged that it violates the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons in space. While he noted the potential risks to astronauts and satellite infrastructure, he emphasized that the weapon is not designed for use against humans or for causing physical damage on Earth.

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation and has instructed officials to engage with Moscow regarding the matter, although there has been no response from the Russian side yet.

The statement from the White House came after Republican Congressman Mike Turner issued a public statement urging Biden to declassify information related to the perceived threat, heightening concerns in Washington about the security implications of Russia’s actions.

News: White House confirmed reports on Russia’s development of an anti-satellite weapon