The Biden administration has issued direct warnings to the Russian government against deploying a nuclear-capable anti-satellite weapon, according to U.S. officials.
This warning was part of a broader diplomatic effort that also involved urging other countries, including India and China, to weigh in with Moscow directly.
The discussions followed a warning from House Intelligence Committee chairman Mike Turner, a Republican from Ohio, who issued a statement last week about a “serious national security threat,” drawing attention to the issue.
White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby later clarified that Turner’s concern was related to a space-based “anti-satellite capability” being developed by Russia.
Anti-Satellite Weapon (Credits: The War Zone)
Kirby stated that although this capability had not yet been deployed and did not pose an immediate threat to American citizens, the U.S. was closely monitoring the situation and taking it very seriously.
Deployment of such a weapon by Russia would violate the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which prohibits placing weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, in space.
The treaty has been signed by more than 130 countries, including the United States and Russia. CIA Director William Burns reportedly discussed the matter with Russian spy chief Sergei Naryshkin in recent talks.
Additionally, Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised Russia’s pursuit of anti-satellite capabilities with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during bilateral meetings at the Munich Security Conference last week.
Russia has denied any intention to deploy nuclear weapons in space. The situation underscores ongoing tensions and concerns about the militarization of space, highlighting the need for continued diplomatic efforts to prevent the escalation of such threats.
