“Russia has acquired the capability, such a weapon is not currently operational,” the White House National Security Council spokesman said.
THE White House publicly confirmed on Thursday that Russia had acquired a ‘disturbing’ new anti-satellite weaponclarifying that it cannot directly cause “natural disaster” on Earth.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said US intelligence officials have information that Russia has acquired the capability, but that such a weapon not currently operational. “US officials are analyzing the information they have about the new technology and have consulted with allies and partners on the matter,” he noted.
“First, this is not a deployed active capability, and while Russia’s pursuit of this particular capability is troubling, there is no immediate threat to anyone’s security,” Kirby insisted. “We are not talking about a weapon that can be used to attack human beings or cause natural disaster here on Earth,” he assured.
The White House confirmed the case after the cryptic warning Wednesday from the Republican head of the House Intelligence Committee, Ohio Rep. Mike Turner. Turner urged the Biden administration to declassify information about what he called “serious threat to national security”.
Kirby said the process of reviewing and declassifying information about the Russian capability was underway when Turner “unfortunately” released his statement. “We’ve been very careful and conscious about what we decide to declassify and downgrade and share with the public,” he added.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described US reports of a new Russian military capability “as a ploy to get the US Congress to support aid to Ukraine”.
“It’s obvious that Washington is trying to coerce Congress to pass the Bait Aid Bill,’ Peskov argued in remarks carried by Russian news agencies. “Let’s see what trick the White House will use.”
This weapon capability would violate an international space treaty, which has been signed by more than 130 countries, including Russia.
The White House said it would reach out directly to the Russians about the concerns. Although Kirby tried to reassure the Americans, he nevertheless acknowledged that it was “a serious issue” that the US is not downplaying.
Source :Skai
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