Russia to launch nuclear weapons into space this year - Bloomberg
Russia may launch nuclear weapons into space as early as this year (photo: Getty Images)
The US has informed its allies that Russia may send nuclear weapons into space to destroy satellites as early as this year, according to Bloomberg.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the US has informed its allies that Russia plans to deploy nuclear weapons or a mock warhead in space as early as this year.
The expected ambitions of the Kremlin confirm information about the increasing competition between the US, Russia, and China for the development of space attack capabilities. The new space race contrasts with the Cold War when the two superpowers concluded a series of arms control agreements aimed at preventing the weaponization of space.
According to current assessments, Russia does not plan to destroy any orbital weapons. However, there is a risk of an accident, and a nuclear explosion could potentially affect about a third of satellites and disrupt communication systems on Earth.
According to a person familiar with space weapons, the impact of any explosion will depend on the size of the warhead, and the consequences may not necessarily mean the destruction of satellites but could lead to malfunctions that require error correction.
The US and its allies are working to dissuade Russia from deploying this potential, especially through interaction with China and India, which are believed to have significant influence on the Kremlin.
Threat of Russia deploying nuclear weapons in space
On Wednesday, February 14, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Mike Turner, warned of a serious threat to US national security as intelligence indicates that Russia plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space.
President Biden's national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, confirmed this information, and President Biden instructed his administration to engage in talks with Russia regarding the possible testing of nuclear weapons in space. Later, it was reported that the White House was attempting to hold secret negotiations with Russia to dissuade the Kremlin from conducting tests of space nuclear weapons.
The American CNN has learned details about Russia's development of nuclear space weapons and the potential threats it poses.
