“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,” said Turner.
Turner has further called Russia’s potential anti-satellite technology “a destabilizing foreign military capability.” Senior congressional aides who spoke with mainstream media outlets have confirmed that Congress has received intelligence regarding Russian space warfare capabilities.
This technology, which Russia may already be in the process of deploying, represents a significant risk to the satellites of the United States, which are essential for transmitting critical data globally. Turner fears this weapon might also be equipped with nuclear capabilities, but sources have yet to confirm this possibility.
White House tries to downplay severity of threat
In a statement, the White House has confirmed that it is monitoring the possibility that Russia may deploy a new anti-satellite weapon. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby has confirmed that this new weapon is being deployed.
In Kirby’s statement, he neither confirmed nor denied reports that the new Russian weapon may be nuclear. He only stated it was “space-based” and that its existence violates the 1967 Outer Space Treaty that the former Soviet Union signed and ratified which prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in space.
“While I’m limited by how much I can share about the specific nature of the threat, I can confirm that it is related to an anti-satellite capability that Russia is developing,” said Kirby. “This is not an active capability that’s been deployed, and though Russia’s pursuit of this particular capability is troubling, there is no immediate threat to anyone’s safety.”
“We are not talking about a weapon that can be used to attack human beings or cause physical destruction here on Earth,” added Kirby in his attempt to downplay the threat. “That said, we’ve been closely monitoring this Russian activity and we will continue to take it very seriously.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on a visit to Albania, also attempted to downplay the threat, saying: “This is not an active capability, but it is a potential one that we’re taking very, very seriously and I expect we’ll have more to say very soon.” He added that the Biden administration was also “conferring with allies and partners on this issue.”
“President Biden’s focus is on the security of the U.S. and its people and as we approach this and every other issue that’s first and foremost on his mind,” he said.
In its response, the Kremlin dismissed U.S. warnings as a “malicious fabrication” aimed at pressuring Congress to approve more money for military aid to Ukraine.
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Robin 'Bobby' Windsor has died aged 44.A professional Latin and Ballroom dancer, he danced on the BBC show between 2010 and 2015, and was partnered with celebrities Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, Lisa Riley and Deborah Meaden. Image: Windsor in 2021. Pic: PA He also performed with Susanna Reid in 2011's Children In Need special and This Morning host Alison Hammond in the 2015 Christmas Special.He […]
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