‘Serious threat’: Russia plans to put nuclear missile into space

Security adviser Jake Sullivan will present details of the ‘national security threat’ to members of Congress as senior Republicans ask the White House to declassify the information.

Russia launched the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile system in 2022. Picture: AFP.

Russia is reported to have drawn up plans to put a nuclear missile into space, prompting leading members of Congress to warn of a “serious national security threat”.

In an unusual move yesterday, Mike Turner, the Republican chairman of the House of Representatives intelligence committee, asked the White House to declassify details of what he said was an undisclosed threat. According to ABC News, two intelligence sources said the missile was designed to target enemy satellites rather than be fired at a target on Earth.

“It is very concerning and very sensitive,” said one of the sources.

Turner gave no details about the nature of the threat and the Biden administration declined to address it. A number of members of Congress, including Mike Johnson, the Speaker, cautioned against being overly alarmed.

Johnson said that he was not at liberty to disclose the classified information. “But we just want to assure everyone: steady hands are at the wheel. We’re working on it and there’s no need for alarm,” he added.

Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers parade through Red Square in 2022. Picture: AFP.

Turner sent an email to members of Congress earlier in the day saying his committee had “identified an urgent matter with regard to a destabilising foreign military capability” that should be known to all congressional policymakers.

Jim Himes, the leading Democrat on the committee, said in a statement that the classified information is “significant” but “not a cause for panic”.

At an earlier White House briefing Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, confirmed that he was due to present details to senior members of Congress on Thursday local time. He did not disclose the topic or provide any other details related to Turner’s statement.

“I’m focused on going to see him, sit with him, as well as the other House members of the Gang of Eight,” Sullivan said, referring to the most senior members of the House and Senate on national security and intelligence matters.

“I’m not in a position to say anything further from this podium at this time.”

He added that it was not standard practice to offer such a briefing. “I’ll just say that I personally reached out to the Gang of Eight. It is highly unusual, in fact, for the national security adviser to do that.”

Johnson said he had sent a letter last month to the White House requesting a meeting with the president to discuss “the serious national security issue that is classified”. He added that Sullivan’s meeting was in direct response to his request.

The Times