'Satellite killer': Russia's name was not supposed to be revealed, but somebody leaked it

The US has intelligence of Russian nuclear capabilities in space which could threaten satellites, a report in the New York Times has claimed. Theintel has been briefed to Congress and key US allies with some lawmakers demanding that President Joe Biden's administration declassify the information.

Citing unnamed sources, the report claimed that Russia's potential deployment of a nuclear anti-satellite weapon in spacecouldknock out US militarycommunications and reconnaissance capabilities from above.

The threat becomes even more pertinent as Washington does not have the capability tocounter such a weapon and defend its satellites, the report added. The US flirted with the technology but never fully deployed it while Russia has continued to develop its space-based capabilities for decades.

If Russia does indeed deploy the weapon, it might suggest President Vladimir Putin was willing to abandon the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which bans all orbital nuclear weapons.

Notably, Russia exited theComprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), a global treaty that bans all physical testing of nuclear warheads, last year. Shortly after the exit, Moscow conducted drills, accessing its capability to stage a nuclear attack in "response to an enemy strike".

Turner urges Biden

After the intel was shared,head of the House Intelligence Committee, Mike Turner urged President Biden to come public with the information.

"The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has made available to all Members of Congress information concerning a serious national security threat," said Turner.

"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," he added.

Shortly after, ABC News reported that the threat was associated with Russia and its intentions to place nuclear weapons in space. This action, according to the outlet's anonymous sources, wasn't intended for use against Earth but possibly for targeting satellites. The news gained traction rapidly, leading House Speaker Mike Johnson to call for restraint.

“There is no need for public alarm,” he told the reporters who had gathered in the Capitol.

Turner's committee voted to share the information available to all members of Congress, a move that may have alarmed some officials. According to a note served to the lawmakers, theHouse Intelligence Committee said the intelligence was about a “destabilising foreign military capability".

Amid the confusion, House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said there was no need to panic over the unnamed threat. The Republican leader said he was not allowed to discuss the report but wanted to assure everyone that "steady hands" were at the wheel.

(With inputs from agencies)