Russia denied on Thursday the accuracy of American intelligence information that reached Congress indicating its pursuit of developing a nuclear weapon to use against satellites, describing it as baseless allegations.
Sergei Ryabkov, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister responsible for arms control, stated to TASS news agency that the circulated information was a “malicious fabrication.”
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned that the information, first disclosed by a Republican Party deputy on Wednesday, was an attempt by the White House to persuade American legislators to allocate more funds to confront Russia.
American media outlets reported that the national intelligence had information suggesting Russia’s efforts to develop a nuclear weapon for use against satellites, raising concerns in Congress about a serious threat to national security.
Russia, inheriting the largest nuclear arsenal in the world from the Soviet Union, possessed significant stockpiles of nuclear warheads.
The Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Mike Turner, spoke on Wednesday about Russian military capabilities that are destabilizing and threatening American national security.
Turner, a Republican representative, informed all members of Congress about information concerning a serious threat to national security, urging President Joe Biden to declassify this information so that the United States and its allies could respond to this threat.
Targeting Satellites
The US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, declined to provide details about Turner’s statements regarding Russian military capabilities that threaten American national security, mentioning that he arranged a meeting today with congressional leaders, expressing surprise at Turner’s remarks.
Sources stated that the intelligence information mentioned by Turner indicated Russia’s intention to deploy a nuclear weapon in space, suggesting that Moscow might not aim to use this nuclear weapon on the ground but rather against satellites.
They added that legislators were briefed yesterday in a private session by Turner, and several American lawmakers expressed concerns upon reviewing reports related to the alleged Russian threat to national security.
On another note, Fox News reported that using nuclear systems against satellites could disrupt American military communications and reconnaissance.
The New York Times mentioned that the United States had informed Congress and its allies in Europe about Moscow’s plans to develop anti-satellite nuclear weapons, quoting an American official stating that there was no imminent threat.
