New Russian Nuclear Program Could Threaten Satellites

According to officials in Washington D.C., a new Russian nuclear weapons program could threaten American and Western communications and come during a high point of tensions with Moscow. The alleged program was first revealed to the public after a statement from Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) this week.

According to an intelligence expert interviewed by the New York Post, the program could result in “trillions of dollars worth of economic damage in the worst case.”

Such programs could be used to destroy GPS and communications capability.

Currently, nuclear weapons are barred from space per international treaties.

Canada and the U.K. alongside several other Allies have been Briefed by U.S. Defense Officials on the New Intelligence released today regarding the Development of the Russian Space-Based Anti-Satellite Nuclear System and the Threat it will pose to the West once it is Deployed. pic.twitter.com/yICbxVt2CN

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 14, 2024

It is not clear how the program would work yet, although in 2021 Russia used a missile to shoot down a satellite. The following year, Russia said that it would withdraw from the International Space Station.

Although most of the information remains classified, the new system is not yet operational and could either be a traditional fission bomb or another nuclear-powered device.

Such a system could be used to send out microwaves that could disable other satellites and disrupt modern communications.

Turner revealed the information Wednesday, writing about a pressing potential national security threat.

The representative, who serves as the chair of the House Intelligence Committee Chairman requested that the Biden administration “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.”

Following Turner’s statement, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said that the potential program was important, but not an immediate crisis. Johnson said that he previously requested a meeting with President Joe Biden “to discuss a serious national security issue that is classified.”

“I will press the administration to take appropriate action and everybody can be comforted by that,” he wrote.

Following the revelation of the alleged Russian program, the White House offered briefings on the program with leaders in Congress. The United States also reportedly shared information with allies regarding the potential Russian capabilities.