Red alert in US on Russian space nukes

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, 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.

Mr 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 being overly alarmed.

Mr 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.

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

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

Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, said he was due to present details to senior members of Congress on Thursday (local time).