BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Russia’s emerging anti-satellite weapon not immediate risk: White House

  • A new, mysterious Russian anti-satellite weapon does exist
  • Kirby: "It is not an active capability, and it has not been deployed"
  • WH: Weapon could cause disruptions in space, not physical damage on Earth

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

(NewsNation) — The White House is working to downplay the new, mysterious Russian anti-satellite weapon that’s in development, offering few details aside from acknowledging the weapon does exist.

Multiple sources confirmed to NewsNation it does not pose an immediate threat. However, lawmakers are demanding more information about the technology and its capabilities.

Information on the weapon remains confidential and top secret.

The U.S. has been informed about the threat for a couple of months now, but as Russia continues to develop the weapon, defense leaders say it is not yet operational.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that while Russia’s pursuit of this capability is troubling, there is no immediate threat to anyone’s safety.

“We’re taking this threat very seriously. It is not an active capability, and it has not been deployed,” Kirby said Thursday at a White House press briefing.

The White House described this threat as a troubling emerging anti-satellite weapon that could cause disruptions in space but not physical damage on Earth.

Kirby confirmed the U.S. has been in the process of consulting with allies on the developing weapon, hoping to engage with Russia about it.

The White House team declined to confirm if this anti-satellite weapon has nuclear capabilities, but Kirby said the weapon violates the Outer Space Treaty dating back to the 1960s, which prohibits any objects carrying nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction in space or in orbit.

World

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Clear

la

57°F Clear Feels like 57°
Wind
2 mph SSW
Humidity
67%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Foggy. Low near 50F. Winds light and variable.
50°F Foggy. Low near 50F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
2 mph NNE
Precip
5%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Gibbous