Kremlin Dismisses U.S. Warning on Russian Nuclear Capabilities in Space, Reports Reuters

By Guy Faulconbridge, Patricia Zengerle, and Steve Holland

MOSCOW/WASHINGTON – The Kremlin rejected a U.S. warning regarding Russia’s new nuclear capabilities in space on Thursday, labeling it a "malicious fabrication" and suggesting it was a tactic by the White House to persuade Congress to allocate more funds against Russia.

The U.S. government has informed Congress and European allies about new intelligence that highlights a potential threat posed by developing Russian nuclear capabilities, specifically an anti-satellite weapon. However, officials noted that this weapon is not an immediate concern.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated he would refrain from commenting on the specifics of the claims until official details are released by the U.S. government. He emphasized that the warning appears to be a strategy to influence funding decisions in Congress.

“It is obvious that the White House is trying, by any means necessary, to encourage Congress to pass a funding bill; this is clear,” Peskov told journalists. “We will see what tactics the White House employs.”

Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister and chief arms control negotiator, accused the United States of spreading falsehoods.

On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the situation during his visit to Tirana, Albania, confirming that the U.S. is consulting with allies regarding this issue. “This is not an active capability, but it is a potential one that we’re taking very, very seriously. I would expect more information shortly, so stay tuned for that,” he said.

The ongoing conflict sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has led to heightened tensions between the West and Russia, reminiscent of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Both nations have issued warnings about the potential for conflict involving NATO forces.

As the two largest nuclear powers, Russia and the United States control approximately 90% of the world’s nuclear arsenal and possess advanced military satellites.

DEVELOPING SPACE CAPABILITIES

A White House national security spokesperson reported that Russia is in the process of developing a space-based anti-satellite capability that has not yet been deployed. He also indicated that President Biden has sought direct diplomatic conversations with Russia on this matter.

While the specifics of the nuclear aspect remain unclear, analysts speculate that it could involve a nuclear-powered device intended to disrupt satellite operations rather than an explosive nuclear weapon. Such capabilities could severely impact global communications, surveillance, intelligence operations, and command and control, particularly in nuclear contexts.

Experts noted that the United States currently lacks the means to counter this type of weapon.

The concern about this Russian capability was highlighted by U.S. Representative Mike Turner, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, who issued a warning regarding the threat. Subsequently, fellow Republican Representative Andy Ogles called for an investigation into Turner’s statement and its implications for domestic and foreign policy.

GLOBAL STRATEGIC CONCERNS

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan provided a briefing to Congress leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Turner, on the potential threat. Speaker Johnson confirmed that House leaders had been aware of the situation for "several weeks," labeling it a serious issue involving Russia.

Turner expressed confidence in the Biden administration’s handling of the matter, indicating that officials had pointed to a Russian anti-satellite weapon as a concern.

The U.S. perceives Russia and China as its primary adversaries, asserting that both nations are advancing various new weapons systems, including nuclear, cyber, and space technologies.

Turner’s statement regarding the Russian threat emerged as Congress debates whether to approve $95 billion in military aid, primarily for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia, as well as for Israel and Taiwan.

In the early Cold War years, following Russia’s significant achievements in space and the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles by both sides, the West proposed a treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons in space. This culminated in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, barring the placement of mass destruction weapons in orbit and outer space.

In recent years, deteriorating relations between Moscow and Washington have strained the framework of arms control treaties aimed at diminishing the risk of nuclear conflict between the two powers.