Is Russia Developing A Space-Based Nuclear Weapon?

The US has informed Congress and its European allies about new intelligence about Russia’s nuclear capabilities, according to a report in the New York Times. The report quoted US officials as saying that Russia was looking to develop a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon.

In a statement on X (Twitter)  House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner, said, “Today, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has made available to all Members of Congress information concerning a serious national security threat.”

“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.”

According to senior US officials, the news, while alarming, does not constitute an immediate threat to US security. Russia has so far not announced its intention to pull out of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which bans the use of nuclear weapons in space. Still, it is being considered as a significant upgrade of Russia’s abilities and could potentially pose serious threats to US security.

US NSA Jake Sullivan has stated that he would be convening a meeting with the ‘Gang of Eight.’ These are eight Congressional lawmakers – four Republican and four Democrat – who are briefed on classified intelligence matters. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, he stated: “I’ll just say that I reached out to the ‘Gang of Eight. It is highly unusual, in fact, for the National Security Advisor to do that. I did that to set up a meeting….”

A report released by the research organisation C.S.I.S. entitled “Space Threat Assessment 2023” had looked at the “development, testing, and use of counterspace weapons and enables readers to develop a deeper understanding of threats to U.S. national security interests in space.” It has focussed on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war to understand how space capabilities had played a role in the conflict.

It also looked at the growing space and counterspace capabilities of China, Russia, India, Iran, North Korea, and other nations.