Russian anti-satellite technology poses no immediate threat, White House says

A White House spokesman said Thursday that the anti-satellite technology developed by Russia had not been deployed and posed “no immediate threat to anyone's safety.”

“We are not talking about a weapon that could be used to attack people or cause physical destruction here on Earth,” the spokesman, John F. Kirby, told reporters.

Mr. Kirby also pushed back on calls from Republicans for a broad release of intelligence about the weapon came to light on Wednesday in part after a cryptic message from Representative Michael R. Turner, Republican of Ohio and the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

After Mr. Turner's announcement, current and former officials briefed on the matter said Russia is likely making progress on a new space-based nuclear weapon designed to threaten America's vast satellite network.

President Biden receives regular briefings and the White House had “serious concerns” about releasing any information collected on the weapon, Mr. Kirby said. He added that the weapon was based in space and had no component that could be used to disarm or attack structures in space from the ground.

Mr. Kirby said the administration would advocate for declassification in a “strategic manner” and that Jake Sullivan, the president's national security adviser, would meet with members of the House leadership to brief them on the latest intelligence and its analysis by the government.