U.S. officials are seeking to increase international pressure on Russia not to deploy anti-satellite nuclear weapons in space, saying they have obtained information that undermines the Kremlin's narrative that the device it is developing is for peaceful scientific purposes. A senior State Department official made the announcement on Friday.
Concerns over Russia's development of a new generation of space nuclear weapons have raised concerns in Washington, especially since last month, when Russia vetoed a United Nations measure aimed at keeping such weapons out of space. is increasing. Some Republicans believe the Biden administration is not doing enough to stop Russia from developing the device, and others say they won't pressure Russia to stop. We are concerned about China's apparent decision.
On Friday, Mallory Stewart, assistant secretary of state for arms control, said the United States had known for years that Russia was pursuing such devices, but that “we can more accurately assess Russia's progress.” It only happened recently,” he said. ”
Stewart, speaking at the bipartisan Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said the orbit the Russian satellite occupies is in a highly radioactive region not used by other satellites, and that information is used by Russia, which says it is not developing weapons. He said it would weaken the country's defenses. .
She denounced Russia's veto of a United Nations Security Council resolution promoted by the United States and Japan aimed at reaffirming the ban on deploying nuclear weapons in orbit. She argued that countries should pressure Russia not to deploy nuclear-capable satellites.
“Everything we are doing in the diplomatic arena is working to stop Russia from moving forward with this plan,” she said. “If this actually goes forward, the international reaction should be furious, because it affects everyone, right? Every country. The potential impact is indiscriminate.”
Unlike conventional nuclear weapons, this weapon is not designed to impact Earth. Instead, it could destroy swarms of commercial and military satellites, including those that are rebuilding global communications.
Stewart said the device was not deployed and did not pose an immediate threat, but if launched and used it would “keep low Earth orbit out of service for a period of time.” Low-Earth orbit is home to satellites of the U.S. government and communications companies such as Starlink, meaning the weapon could destroy more than just the targeted satellite.
Russia is expected to defend its veto at the UN General Assembly on Monday.
China abstained in the Security Council vote, supporting Russia's amendment, which nominally aims to broadly ban weapons in space and threats to space assets. Stewart said the topic had been debated for years, but there was no widespread agreement in the international community for a broader ban.
U.S. officials are concerned about China's decision to abstain from the vote and support Russia's position. Earlier this year, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken appealed to Chinese authorities not to use their influence against Mr. Putin to deploy weapons.
Following the veto, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the United States believes Russia is developing new satellites capable of carrying nuclear devices. Sullivan said such a weapon in orbit would threaten a wide range of communications, science and national security services that rely on satellites.
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons in space. But Cold War-era arms control treaties have been sidelined in recent years, and U.S. officials believe an Outer Space Treaty could be next.
“The Russian Federation has withdrawn from many, if not all, existing arms control treaties,” Stewart said. “This reflects a desire to prioritize personal ambitions over international law.”
Russian President Vladimir V. Putin has said he has no intention of deploying nuclear weapons in space, but U.S. officials say Russia is working on developing nuclear weapons and preparing to potentially send them into orbit. He said he saw it and is skeptical. And Sullivan said in his statement that he would not have vetoed the resolution if Russia had no intention of deploying nuclear weapons.
Rep. Michael R. Turner, Republican of Ohio, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, is sounding the alarm about the new Russian device. He asked Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III during a Congressional hearing last week about the implications of nuclear-tipped anti-satellite weapons.
“That would have a devastating impact on many of our capabilities in space, not just our capabilities but the capabilities of other countries,” Austin said. “So, for those reasons, we believe it would be irresponsible for anyone to consider deploying or using nuclear weapons in space.”
At the hearing, Mr. Turner said: The Biden administration argued it was doing too little. To emphasize the threat posed by Russian weapons, more emphasis should have been placed on preventing Russian weapons deployment.
“This is a Cuban missile crisis in space, and I believe this administration is sleepwalking into an international crisis,” Turner said.
