Kremlin dismisses US warning about Russian nuclear capability in space
Russia's latest foray into space was a failed lunar landing in August 2023.
PHOTO: REUTERS
FEB 15, 2024,
MOSCOW – Russia on Feb 15 dismissed a warning by the United States about its supposed new nuclear capabilities in space, calling it a “malicious fabrication” and a trick by the White House aimed at getting American lawmakers to approve more money to counter Moscow.
The US has told Congress and allies in Europe about new intelligence related to Russian nuclear capabilities that could pose an international threat, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.
The new capabilities, related to Russian attempts to develop a space-based weapon, do not pose an urgent threat to the US, the source said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he would not comment on the substance of the reports until the details were unveiled by the White House. But he said Washington’s warning was clearly an attempt to get Congress to approve more money.
“It is obvious that the White House is trying, by hook or by crook, to encourage Congress to vote on a Bill to allocate money. This is obvious,” he was quoted as saying by TASS.
“We’ll see what tricks the White House will use,” Mr Peskov said.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, Moscow’s point man on arms control, accused the US of “malicious fabrication”.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – something Moscow calls a special military operation – has triggered the biggest confrontation between the West and Russia since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.
Both Moscow and Washington have warned of the risk of a conflict between Nato and Russia.
Russia and the US, by far the biggest nuclear powers, have both expressed regret about the steady disintegration of arms-control treaties that sought to slow the Cold War arms race and reduce the risk of nuclear war.
The US casts China as its biggest competitor and Russia as its biggest nation-state threat, while US President Joe Biden argues that this century will be defined by an existential contest between democracies and autocracies.
Russia says the post-Cold War dominance of the US is crumbling, and that Washington has for years promoted chaos across the planet while ignoring the interests of other powers.
REUTERS
'Malicious fabrication': Russia dismisses US warning on nuclear weapons in space
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister has denied US reports of deploying nuclear weapons in space, calling them a "malicious fabrication."
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (Credits: AP)
US warns of security threat over Russia's nuclear capability in space
The United States has told Congress and allies in Europe about new intelligence related to Russian nuclear capabilities that could pose an international threat, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.
Issued on: 15/02/2024 -
The United States has told Congress and allies in Europe about new intelligence related to Russian nuclear capabilities that could pose an international threat, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.
Issued on: 15/02/2024 -
01:30
By: FRANCE 24
Video by: Fraser JACKSON
The new capabilities, related to Russian attempts to develop a space-based weapon, do not pose an urgent threat to the United States, the source said.
The intelligence came to light after Representative Mike Turner, Republican chair of the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, issued an unusual and cryptic statement on Wednesday warning of a "serious national security threat".
Sources later said the warning was related to Russian capabilities in space, related to satellites. One of the sources said the issue is serious, but is not related to an active capability nor should it be a cause for panic.
"I am requesting that President Biden declassify all information relating to this threat so that Congress, the Administration, and our allies can openly discuss the actions necessary to respond to this threat," Turner said in the statement, providing no further information.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday called the warning about new Russian nuclear capabilities in space yet another "trick" by the White House. Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov called reports about the deployment of nuclear weapons in space a "malicious fabrication", TASS reported.
Foreign aid debate
Citing a current and a former US official, the New York Times reported earlier that the new intelligence was related to Russia’s attempts to develop a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon. ABC News reported earlier that the intelligence had to do with such a capability.
Current and former officials said the nuclear weapon was not in orbit.
Turner's statement was released in the midst of debate in Congress over how the United States should be dealing with global threats from Russia and other rivals, with security hawks urging greater global involvement and some lawmakers most closely allied with Republican former president Donald Trump advocating for a more isolationist approach to world affairs.
Turner recently returned from leading a bipartisan congressional delegation to Ukraine, after which he warned fellow lawmakers that time was running out for Ukraine in its fight against Russian invaders.
The Biden administration has been ramping up its criticism of House Republicans for possibly blocking a $95 billion bill passed by the Senate that would supply aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Supporters of the bill argue that a major reason for the United States to back the government in Kyiv is to push back against threats from Russia that extend beyond Ukraine.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a staunch Trump ally who says he will not rush to allow a vote on the Senate bill, told reporters at the Capitol there was no need for public alarm. "Steady hands are at the wheel. We're working on it and there's no need for alarm," he said.
Senators Mark Warner and Marco Rubio, the Democratic chair and Republican vice chair, respectively, of the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued a joint statement saying their panel has the intelligence in question and has been "rigorously" tracking the issue.
A source familiar with the matter said Warner and Rubio had been briefed on the threat weeks ago. The source said the issue was not unrelated to the security spending bill, but there is no direct tie between them.
Representative Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House intelligence panel, said the issue in Turner's statement is significant, "but it is not a cause for panic".
US national security adviser Jake Sullivan declined to provide specifics. He said he had arranged a briefing for Thursday with congressional leaders with administration intelligence and defence professionals, and that he was surprised by Turner's decision to issue the statement.
"I'm not in a position to say anything further today," Sullivan told a briefing. "Like I said, I look forward to the discussion with (Turner) and obviously from there we will determine how to proceed, but standing here at the podium today I can't share anything further."
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)
This undated artist rendering courtesy of Planet Labs, Inc., shows the company's Pelican satellite. © AFP
By: FRANCE 24
Video by: Fraser JACKSON
The new capabilities, related to Russian attempts to develop a space-based weapon, do not pose an urgent threat to the United States, the source said.
The intelligence came to light after Representative Mike Turner, Republican chair of the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, issued an unusual and cryptic statement on Wednesday warning of a "serious national security threat".
Sources later said the warning was related to Russian capabilities in space, related to satellites. One of the sources said the issue is serious, but is not related to an active capability nor should it be a cause for panic.
"I am requesting that President Biden declassify all information relating to this threat so that Congress, the Administration, and our allies can openly discuss the actions necessary to respond to this threat," Turner said in the statement, providing no further information.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday called the warning about new Russian nuclear capabilities in space yet another "trick" by the White House. Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov called reports about the deployment of nuclear weapons in space a "malicious fabrication", TASS reported.
Foreign aid debate
Citing a current and a former US official, the New York Times reported earlier that the new intelligence was related to Russia’s attempts to develop a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon. ABC News reported earlier that the intelligence had to do with such a capability.
Current and former officials said the nuclear weapon was not in orbit.
Turner's statement was released in the midst of debate in Congress over how the United States should be dealing with global threats from Russia and other rivals, with security hawks urging greater global involvement and some lawmakers most closely allied with Republican former president Donald Trump advocating for a more isolationist approach to world affairs.
Turner recently returned from leading a bipartisan congressional delegation to Ukraine, after which he warned fellow lawmakers that time was running out for Ukraine in its fight against Russian invaders.
The Biden administration has been ramping up its criticism of House Republicans for possibly blocking a $95 billion bill passed by the Senate that would supply aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Supporters of the bill argue that a major reason for the United States to back the government in Kyiv is to push back against threats from Russia that extend beyond Ukraine.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a staunch Trump ally who says he will not rush to allow a vote on the Senate bill, told reporters at the Capitol there was no need for public alarm. "Steady hands are at the wheel. We're working on it and there's no need for alarm," he said.
Senators Mark Warner and Marco Rubio, the Democratic chair and Republican vice chair, respectively, of the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued a joint statement saying their panel has the intelligence in question and has been "rigorously" tracking the issue.
A source familiar with the matter said Warner and Rubio had been briefed on the threat weeks ago. The source said the issue was not unrelated to the security spending bill, but there is no direct tie between them.
Representative Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House intelligence panel, said the issue in Turner's statement is significant, "but it is not a cause for panic".
US national security adviser Jake Sullivan declined to provide specifics. He said he had arranged a briefing for Thursday with congressional leaders with administration intelligence and defence professionals, and that he was surprised by Turner's decision to issue the statement.
"I'm not in a position to say anything further today," Sullivan told a briefing. "Like I said, I look forward to the discussion with (Turner) and obviously from there we will determine how to proceed, but standing here at the podium today I can't share anything further."
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)
US lawmakers were just briefed on intel that Russia is trying to put a nuclear weapon in space: reports
Matthew Loh
Feb 15, 2024,
An urgent statement by Rep. Mike Turner about the intel drew high interest in Capitol HIll, CNN reported.
But some later felt underwhelmed by the news, per CNN, while others said there's no cause for panic.
US leaders in Congress were briefed on Wednesday about new intelligence that Moscow is making progress on a nuclear weapon in space that can attack satellites, multiple media outlets reported.
The weapon wouldn't involve launching a nuclear warhead toward the Earth from space but likely is intended to disable communications networks in orbit, ABC News first reported, citing two unnamed sources.
The New York Times and CNN also reported on the intelligence, citing unnamed officials briefed on the matter.
One source told ABC that the new development is a "big deal" and "very concerning and sensitive."
Attention was heaped on the briefing after House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner released a statement telling lawmakers to gather and hear information on a "serious national security threat."
"I am requesting that President Biden declassify all information relating to this threat so that Congress, the Administration, and our allies can openly discuss the actions necessary to respond to this threat," Turner's statement said.
CNN described House representatives "tramping down to the House basement to learn what the intelligence was."
But several of them were "underwhelmed" after receiving the information, the outlet reported.
The Times reported that the intelligence indicated Russia is not close to deploying the weapon, and that it was not deemed an urgent threat. But the US also doesn't have the capabilities to counter such a weapon, an unnamed former official told the outlet.
Meanwhile, unnamed officials told CNN that the weapon is not in orbit and that it's unclear how far Russia has progressed in development.
No cause for panic, lawmakers say
Amid the clamor, House Speaker Mike Johnson sought to allay public concerns about the briefing.
"I saw Chairman Turner's statement on the issue, and I want to assure the American people, there is no need for public alarm," Johnson told reporters at Capitol Hill. "We are going to work together to address this matter, as we do all sensitive matters that are classified."
Johnson added that "steady hands are at the wheel," and lawmakers were "working on it."
While the representative indicated he knew beforehand about the intelligence — saying he asked last month to meet with President Joe Biden about a "serious national security that is classified" — he did not mention any nuclear weapon.
A meeting on the security issue is scheduled for Thursday, Johnson added.
Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, a Democratic lawmaker on the intelligence committee, also urged calm, per The Hill.
Himes added that the security threat was "a serious issue that Mike is right to focus on" but that "it's not going to ruin your Thursday."
In a regular press briefing on Wednesday, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan declined to share details about the "national security threat" but acknowledged that Biden officials are meeting to discuss it with lawmakers.
That meeting was set before Turner made his urgent statement, Sullivan added.
"So, I am a bit surprised that Congressman Turner came out publicly today in advance of a meeting on the books for me to go sit with him alongside our intelligence and defense professionals tomorrow.," Sullivan said. "That's his choice to do that."
When pressed by reporters on the security threat, Sullivan said he personally reached out to the Gang of Eight to set up the meeting and that it was "highly unusual" for a national security advisor to do so.
In April 2023, a report by the Center for Strategic & International Studies highlighted that Russia is likely developing weapons that can temporarily or permanently turn off satellites.
Moscow has not deployed these in its war on Ukraine, which has largely been relying on Starlink satellites, the report said.
It's not immediately clear if the Russian space weapon in question is nuclear-powered or uses nuclear arms.
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which Russia still participates in, bans the stationing of weapons of mass destruction in outer space. However, Moscow has been pulling out of other nuclear weapon treaties in recent years, raising fears that the world could enter another Cold War-like environment.
Matthew Loh
Feb 15, 2024,
This pool photograph distributed by Russian state-owned agency Sputnik shows Russia's President Vladimir Putin talking with young scientists during a visit to the Rocket and Space Corporation (RSC) Energia in Korolyov, outside Moscow, on October 26, 2023.
GRIGORY SYSOYEV/POOL/AFP via Getty
US lawmakers were given intel on a new nuclear space weapon Russia is building, multiple outlets reported.
US lawmakers were given intel on a new nuclear space weapon Russia is building, multiple outlets reported.
An urgent statement by Rep. Mike Turner about the intel drew high interest in Capitol HIll, CNN reported.
But some later felt underwhelmed by the news, per CNN, while others said there's no cause for panic.
US leaders in Congress were briefed on Wednesday about new intelligence that Moscow is making progress on a nuclear weapon in space that can attack satellites, multiple media outlets reported.
The weapon wouldn't involve launching a nuclear warhead toward the Earth from space but likely is intended to disable communications networks in orbit, ABC News first reported, citing two unnamed sources.
The New York Times and CNN also reported on the intelligence, citing unnamed officials briefed on the matter.
One source told ABC that the new development is a "big deal" and "very concerning and sensitive."
Attention was heaped on the briefing after House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner released a statement telling lawmakers to gather and hear information on a "serious national security threat."
"I am requesting that President Biden declassify all information relating to this threat so that Congress, the Administration, and our allies can openly discuss the actions necessary to respond to this threat," Turner's statement said.
CNN described House representatives "tramping down to the House basement to learn what the intelligence was."
But several of them were "underwhelmed" after receiving the information, the outlet reported.
The Times reported that the intelligence indicated Russia is not close to deploying the weapon, and that it was not deemed an urgent threat. But the US also doesn't have the capabilities to counter such a weapon, an unnamed former official told the outlet.
Meanwhile, unnamed officials told CNN that the weapon is not in orbit and that it's unclear how far Russia has progressed in development.
No cause for panic, lawmakers say
Amid the clamor, House Speaker Mike Johnson sought to allay public concerns about the briefing.
"I saw Chairman Turner's statement on the issue, and I want to assure the American people, there is no need for public alarm," Johnson told reporters at Capitol Hill. "We are going to work together to address this matter, as we do all sensitive matters that are classified."
Johnson added that "steady hands are at the wheel," and lawmakers were "working on it."
While the representative indicated he knew beforehand about the intelligence — saying he asked last month to meet with President Joe Biden about a "serious national security that is classified" — he did not mention any nuclear weapon.
A meeting on the security issue is scheduled for Thursday, Johnson added.
Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, a Democratic lawmaker on the intelligence committee, also urged calm, per The Hill.
Himes added that the security threat was "a serious issue that Mike is right to focus on" but that "it's not going to ruin your Thursday."
In a regular press briefing on Wednesday, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan declined to share details about the "national security threat" but acknowledged that Biden officials are meeting to discuss it with lawmakers.
That meeting was set before Turner made his urgent statement, Sullivan added.
"So, I am a bit surprised that Congressman Turner came out publicly today in advance of a meeting on the books for me to go sit with him alongside our intelligence and defense professionals tomorrow.," Sullivan said. "That's his choice to do that."
When pressed by reporters on the security threat, Sullivan said he personally reached out to the Gang of Eight to set up the meeting and that it was "highly unusual" for a national security advisor to do so.
In April 2023, a report by the Center for Strategic & International Studies highlighted that Russia is likely developing weapons that can temporarily or permanently turn off satellites.
Moscow has not deployed these in its war on Ukraine, which has largely been relying on Starlink satellites, the report said.
It's not immediately clear if the Russian space weapon in question is nuclear-powered or uses nuclear arms.
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which Russia still participates in, bans the stationing of weapons of mass destruction in outer space. However, Moscow has been pulling out of other nuclear weapon treaties in recent years, raising fears that the world could enter another Cold War-like environment.
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