Information about Russian nuclear weapons in space is serious but ‘no cause for panic,’ lawmakers say ahead of White House briefing

The White House is reportedly preparing to brief key lawmakers on a “national security threat” associated with Russia’s plans to deploy a nuclear weapon in space.

What happened: The Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Mike Turner (R-Ohio), expressed concern Wednesday about a “destabilizing foreign military capability” that he deems president Joe Biden should declassify. According to two sources familiar with the situation, the threat is linked to Russia’s ambition to place a nuclear weapon in space, not aimed at Earth, but potentially at satellites, ABC News reported.

Lawmakers described the issue as serious but avoided causing public panic. “We will work together to address this issue, as we do with all sensitive issues that are classified,” the House Speaker said Mike Johnson (R-La.) said.

Representative. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), a ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, echoed Johnson’s sentiments, labeling the warning “significant” but “not cause for panic.”

Turner urged President Biden to declassify all information related to the threat. He has made information on the issue accessible to all members of the House in a secure location.

Jake Sullivan, White House national security adviser, held a confidential meeting with congressional leadership to discuss the issue. Sullivan assured that President Biden is making decisions to ensure the safety of the American people.

See also: Biden says if Trump succeeds in regaining power, he will let Russia ‘do whatever the hell it wants’ with NATO allies

Because matter: Early last year, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko announced in June 2023 that his country had begun receiving shipments of Russian tactical nuclear weapons, some of which are three times more powerful than the atomic bombs the United States dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, according to a Benzinga report.

In October 2023, Russia announced its decision to revoke ratification of the agreement Treaty on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, citing “the United States’ irresponsible attitude towards global security” as the main reason for the decision, according to another Benzinga report. These events have heightened concerns about Russia’s nuclear ambitions and their potential implications for global security.

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