Russia is developing a space-based anti-satellite weapon that is “concerning” to the United States but does not pose an immediate threat to people on Earth, the White House said Thursday.
The announcement came a day after a wave of speculation, fueled by US lawmakers who issued a cryptic warning about an unspecified but serious threat to the country's national security.
Moscow denied the “malicious” and “unsubstantiated” claims, describing them as a ploy by the White House to try to pass a multi-billion dollar Ukrainian war aid package that is stuck in Congress.
“I can confirm that it is related to an anti-satellite capability that Russia is developing,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters at a White House briefing.
“This is not an active asset that has been deployed. And while Russia's pursuit of this particular capability is troubling, there is no immediate threat to anyone's security,” he said.
Kirby confirmed that the Russian weapon was “space-based” but would not comment on US media reports that it could be nuclear-capable or nuclear-powered.
But he said it would violate the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, to which both Russia and the United States are parties – and which bans the use of nuclear weapons in space.
The weapon could pose a deadly risk to astronauts in low orbit, potentially disrupting vital military and civilian satellites, he added.
“We are not talking about a weapon that can be used to attack people or cause physical destruction here on Earth,” Kirby said.
US President Joe Biden had been briefed and instructed officials to contact Moscow about the weapon, although the country had not yet responded.
Concern had gripped Washington since Mike Turner, chairman of the House Republican Intelligence Committee, issued a public statement on Wednesday referring to a “serious threat to national security” and calling on Biden to “release all information related to this threat.” to give'.
– 'Tricks' –
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan held a closed-door meeting Thursday with congressional leaders to brief them on the developments.
However, the early disclosure by lawmakers irritated the White House, with Kirby saying they were investigating whether U.S. intelligence sources and methods had been compromised.
Democrat Biden and the Republican-led House are at an impasse over a White House request for $60 billion in military aid to support Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion that is entering its third year.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has repeatedly warned that he will not discuss the security of his allies until the US immigration system is strengthened, is refusing to put the Senate-passed bill to a vote.
Kirby said the embattled Ukrainian frontline town of Avdiivka was “at risk of falling under Russian control”, partly due to a lack of ammunition.
Moscow rejected the claims about the technology, calling them a US attempt to denigrate Russia and push funding for Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the White House was “trying to get Congress to vote on the appropriations bill in every possible way,” state news agency TASS reported.
“It's clear. Let's see what tricks the White House is going to pull, so to speak,” he said.
Kirby called the Kremlin's comments “nonsense.”
The West has accused Russia of reckless nuclear rhetoric after President Vladimir Putin said he was prepared to use a nuclear weapon if he sensed an existential threat.
The Outer Space Treaty, to which both Russia and the United States are parties, prohibits the use of nuclear weapons in space.
Meanwhile, the row came when Putin said he preferred the 'predictable' Biden over Donald Trump in the US presidential elections in November.
“Mr Putin should simply stay out of our elections,” Kirby added.