White House: Russia Developing Anti-Satellite Capability, US Launches Missile Tracking Satellites
John Kirby confirmed that while he’s limited to the information he can confirm that it is related to an anti-satellite capability that Russia is developing.
WASHINGTON - [Developing, this report is in progress and will be added to]. After the House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner released a public statement on social media about a “serious national security threat” and urged U.S. President Joe Biden to declassify all information relating to the threat, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan stated he was surprised Turner came out publicly in advance of a meeting that was on the books for the next day.
The same day the information was released, the U.S. Space Force successfully launched six satellites for the Missile Defense Agency and Space Development Agency on a Space X Falcon 9 rocket with a new generation of missile detection, missile tracking, and communications satellites on board:
The House Intelligence Committee had posted Turner’s message stating, “Today, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has made available to all members of Congress information concerning a serious national threat”.
His statement added, “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”.
During a press briefing, national security spokesman, John Kirby confirmed that while he’s limited to the information he can confirm that it is related to an anti-satellite capability that Russia is developing.
"First, this is not an active capability that's been deployed. And though Russia's pursuit of this particular capability is troubling, there is no immediate threat to anyone's safety," Kirby stated adding, "We're not talking about a weapon that can be used to attack human beings or cause physical destruction here on Earth."
He added that the United States has known about Russia’s intention for this capability for “many months if not a few years” but added that it’s only been recently that the intelligence community has been able to "assess with a higher sense of confidence exactly how Russia continues to pursue it."
He said that the administration is taking the potential security threat “very seriously” and is actively working to inform lawmakers and allies globally.
"Nothing is more important to President Biden and the safety and security of the American people," Kirby stated. "That's his top priority and it's going to remain front and center as we continue to determine the next best steps."