NEW DELHI: Russia has developed a “troubling” emerging anti-satellite weapon, but it’s not a threat to anyone’s safety as it has not been deployed yet, the White House said on Thursday.
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said US intelligence officials have information on Russia’s possession of the capability, but the weapon is not presently capable of causing “physical destruction” on Earth.
US officials are actively analysing the information and have engaged with allies and partners on the issue.
“First 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,” Kirby said. “We’re not talking about a weapon that can be used to used to attack human beings or cause physical destruction here on Earth.”
The White House has confirmed its intelligence regarding a serious national security threat posed by Russia. Ohio Rep. Mike Turner, the Republican head of the House Intelligence Committee, had urged the Biden administration to declassify information about this threat. However, the White House expressed regret that Turner released his statement before the process of reviewing and declassifying the information was complete.
“We have been very careful and deliberate about what we decide to declassify, downgrade, and share with the public,” said Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby. Russia, on the other hand, downplayed the US concerns, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissing them as an attempt to secure support for aid to Ukraine from the US Congress.
The alleged Russian military capability, which is space-based, would violate an international space treaty that more than 130 countries, including Russia, have signed onto. The White House intends to engage directly with the Russians to address these concerns. While Kirby sought to assure Americans, he also acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, stating, “I don’t want to minimize the potential here for disruption.”
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan was scheduled to brief lawmakers on Capitol Hill about the Russian threat. However, the White House expressed frustration with Turner’s approach in sharing the concerns publicly. “We make decisions about how and when to publicly disclose intelligence in a careful, deliberate, and strategic way,” Kirby said.
“We’re not going to be knocked off that process, regardless of what, in this particular case, has found its way into the public domain. “I can assure you that we will continue to keep members of Congress as well as our international partners and all of you and the American people as fully informed as possible,” he added.
(With input from Agencies)
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said US intelligence officials have information on Russia’s possession of the capability, but the weapon is not presently capable of causing “physical destruction” on Earth.
US officials are actively analysing the information and have engaged with allies and partners on the issue.
“First 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,” Kirby said. “We’re not talking about a weapon that can be used to used to attack human beings or cause physical destruction here on Earth.”
The White House has confirmed its intelligence regarding a serious national security threat posed by Russia. Ohio Rep. Mike Turner, the Republican head of the House Intelligence Committee, had urged the Biden administration to declassify information about this threat. However, the White House expressed regret that Turner released his statement before the process of reviewing and declassifying the information was complete.
“We have been very careful and deliberate about what we decide to declassify, downgrade, and share with the public,” said Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby. Russia, on the other hand, downplayed the US concerns, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissing them as an attempt to secure support for aid to Ukraine from the US Congress.
The alleged Russian military capability, which is space-based, would violate an international space treaty that more than 130 countries, including Russia, have signed onto. The White House intends to engage directly with the Russians to address these concerns. While Kirby sought to assure Americans, he also acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, stating, “I don’t want to minimize the potential here for disruption.”
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan was scheduled to brief lawmakers on Capitol Hill about the Russian threat. However, the White House expressed frustration with Turner’s approach in sharing the concerns publicly. “We make decisions about how and when to publicly disclose intelligence in a careful, deliberate, and strategic way,” Kirby said.
“We’re not going to be knocked off that process, regardless of what, in this particular case, has found its way into the public domain. “I can assure you that we will continue to keep members of Congress as well as our international partners and all of you and the American people as fully informed as possible,” he added.
(With input from Agencies)